There will be a boating safety promotion at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Gander Mountain in Salmon Run Mall, Watertown.

"This is a push to get all boaters to wear a life jacket," said Robert Ewing, Division 1 staff officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The Coast Guard will promote the proper use of safety jackets and help people choose appropriate floatation devices.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, an average of nine people a day die by drowning in the United States.

"In 2006, 452, that's 90 percent, of the 474 victims who drowned weren't wearing a life jacket," Mr. Ewing said.