WHEREAS, both residents and visitors alike are drawn to St. Johns County’s 42 miles of oceanfront, as well as the 216 square miles of inland waterways each year for boating and beach activities, and for these reasons public safety professionals provide an annual reminder of the joys and hazards associated with the ocean, inland waterways, pools, and the many other bodies of water throughout St. Johns County; and

WHEREAS, water safety education plays a crucial part in preventing drownings and recreational water-related injuries through public awareness campaigns for rip current awareness, hazardous weather awareness, boating safety, and the importance of life jackets; and

WHEREAS, public safety professionals from St. Johns County Fire Rescue, St. Johns County Marine Rescue, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, St. Augustine Fire Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Augustine Beach Police Department, National Park Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard will promote the importance of water safety through national public awareness campaigns; and

WHEREAS, in addition to National Water Safety Month, St. Johns County recognizes National Boating Safety Week and National Beach Safety Week both occurring during the month of May as well as the important role that swimming and aquatic-related activities play in supporting good physical and mental health and enhancing the quality of life for all residents and visitors; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida, that the month of May 2026 be designated as 

Water Safety Month

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida this 19th day of May, 2026.