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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois state officials are reminding boaters to stay safe on the water.

This is National Safe Boating Week.

The upcoming Memorial Day holiday is the ceremonial start of summer.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says there were 102 boating accidents on Illinois waters in 2009.

There were 25 deaths and 71 injuries.

Officials say half of those deaths might have been prevented if the victims had worn personal floatation devices.

State law requires a floatation device to be available for every person on a boat or other watercraft.

State conservation police also focus on drunken boating.

There were 215 arrests last year for operating under the influence.

The state offers free boating safety courses and will provide free boat inspections May 29.

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Online: http://dnr.state.il.us

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