Tourists visiting the Colorado River make up about half of Arizona’s boat traffic, according to Mojave County Sheriff Doug Schuster’s statement this year. Now the sheriff is working with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to make boaters a little safer.

Last month, state officials launched an annual lifejacket exchange program that allows boaters and other members of the public to exchange worn or damaged lifejackets for new ones free of charge across Arizona. The event arrives in Lake Havasu City on Saturday.

Sheriff officers will join the Arizona Game and Fish Service and will host the event on Saturday from 10am to 12pm at the London Bridge Beach Stage.

Havasu Residents may exchange old or damaged lifejackets at the event, with the exception of orange Type 2 lifejackets. Supplies are limited, so participants are encouraged to arrive early.

Arizona law requires watercraft to carry enough lifejackets for all passengers. These lifejackets must be accessible and ready for effective use. Arizona law also requires all vessels over 16 feet in length to carry a Type 4 throwable flotation device.

Children under the age of 12 must wear a personal flotation device at all times when navigating the personal watercraft.

“Bad things can happen quickly on boats and life jackets can be the only thing that saves lives,” said the MCSO sergeant. Kyler Cox last month. “People take the power of open water for granted. Even a simple spasm can drown you. is not.”