National Safe Boating Week Freshens Campaign with New PSA

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National Safe Boating Week Freshens Campaign with New PSA

WASHINGTON, DC — Boating is enormously fun, but it is not without risk. According to the National Safe Boating Council, approximately 500 people drown each year from recreational boating accidents. The group is the leading advocate for PFD use while on the water.

This year during National Safe Boating Week, and throughout the boating season, the National Safe Boating Council is working with their partner organizations to encourage safe and responsible boating, including the practice of always wearing a life jacket, and being alert and aware while on the water. Safe boating saves lives — so, for this year’s National Safe Boating Week (May 19-25, 2012) and throughout the boating season remember to “Wear It!”

New this year, the National Safe Boating Council created a video PSA, “Casting Off,” sharing the experience of three friends and a dog as they get ready to spend the day on the water and the significance of a simple reminder to wear a life jacket. This tongue-in-cheek video PSA shares the life-saving importance of sharing boating safety, including wearing a life jacket, while enjoying recreational boating activities with your family and friends.

“Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed life jacket,” said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “It’s important that everyone wears a life jacket while on the water. There’s no reason why you, your family and friends, can’t have fun on the water while also choosing to always wear a life jacket.”

Here are a few boating safety tips to keep in mind this boating season:

1. No matter what activity you have planned — boating, fishing sailing, etc. — always remember to wear a life jacket every time you are on the water.

2. Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard-approved and properly fits. Double check that your life jacket is appropriate for your favorite boating activities.

3. Life jackets meant for adults do not work for children. If you are boating with children, make sure they are wearing properly fitted, child-sized life jackets. Do not buy a life jacket for your child to “grow into.”

“A life jacket can’t save your life unless you ‘Wear It!,’” continued Chambers. “With today’s variety of comfortable, stylish life jackets, there’s a life jacket for everyone — even our four-legged friends! No matter the water activity or life jacket style chosen — and always remember to ‘Wear It!’”

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2010, and that 88 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. That’s why boating safety advocates continue to push for increased and consistent life jacket wear on the water.

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