2005 North American Safe Boating Campaign
WHAT:
The annual North American Safe Boating Campaign -- a nationwide event dedicated to the prevention of deaths and injuries from recreational boating, will be launched during National Safe Boating Week
WHEN:
May 21-27, 2005, the week before the traditional start of the summer boating season on Memorial Day.
WHERE:
Boating communities throughout North America.
WHO:
The 2005 North American Safe Boating Campaign is a partnership comprised of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), U.S. Coast Guard and hundreds of other organizations including the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the Canadian Coast Guard. The campaign is produced under a grant from the Aquatic Resources (Wallop-Breaux) Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
BACKGROUND:
703 people were killed in recreational boating accidents in 2003, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics. Drowning remains the number-one cause of death, yet nearly 86 percent of those who drowned were not wearing their life jackets.
"Wearing a life jacket -- not just stowing them on the boat -- is the best way to stay safe on the water," states Virgil Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. "That's why we urge boaters to 'Boat Smart. Boat Safe. Wear It!'"
This year's North American Safe Boating Campaign will highlight technological advances made in life jackets, which have made them smaller, lighter, more comfortable, and appropriate for activities like hunting, fishing, and paddling.
Graphic art demonstrating the evolution of the life jacket, the Top 5 Reasons to wear a life jacket, new 2003 U. S. Coast Guard Statistics, the highlights of the inflatable life jacket and additional safe boating resources and campaign materials are located in the pressroom at www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com. Interviewing opportunities with Executive Director Virgil Chambers and other boating safety specialists are available by contacting the above POCs.
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