The Save the Manatee Club has released a new public service announcement, encouraging boater safety

Given the more than 1 million registered boats in Florida, and the additional half-million boats from other states, cruising Florida's waterways, the manatee club says it's concerned for the well-being of the public, manatees and other aquatic wildlife.

Speedboat collisions and propeller maimings are major causes of manatee deaths, according to the organization.

The more educated the boating public can be before they go out on the waterways, the better for all, said the group. Boat traffic can double or even triple on busy holiday weekends in the summer.

For more information, visit www.savethemanatee.org.