Boating Safety Partners Encourage Boaters to Celebrate Independence With Life Jacket...

Boating Safety Partners Encourage Boaters to Celebrate Independence With Life
Jacket Wear on the Water

Protect against accidents during the heavy boating traffic Independence Day
weekend

WASHINGTON, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Day weekend is one of the
heaviest traffic times of the summer travel season, and the water is no
exception. Just as seatbelt wear is a natural part of driving to your
celebration destination, routine and consistent life jacket wear should also
be a part of all water activities during the holiday and the rest of summer
boating season.

Independence Day weekend is one of the top times for boating accidents. By
making sure everyone on a boat ride takes advantage of a life jacket by
choosing to "Wear It!," boaters can take the No. 1 step toward greater water
safety, according to the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC).

"Boating is a big part of Independence Day celebrations," said Virgil
Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. "There's no
reason why everyone can't have fun on the water while also choosing to always
wear a life jacket. Because the weekend of the Fourth may be one of the only
times some people get on a boat the entire summer, every boat operator needs
to remember to share the 'Wear It!' message."

Approximately 90 percent of recreational boating drowning victims weren't
wearing a life jacket. Fortunately, life jacket wear is easy and convenient
with a range of today's comfortable, stylish styles.

"A life jacket's not going to do any good unless you're wearing it," Chambers
said. "But the bulky styles that may have discouraged life jacket wear in the
past have been replaced by superior options that both feel and look good. It's
especially important for novice boaters who are planning to take to the water
this Independence Day holiday to be prepared: Do like other smart boaters and
'Wear It!'"

Life jacket wear by every boater is the leading goal of the North American
Safe Boating Campaign, which kicked off officially with National Safe Boating
Week, May 16 - 22. The North American Safe Boating Campaign unites the efforts
of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including National Association
of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the Canadian Safe Boating
Council and the many members of the National Safe Boating Council. The
campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and
Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

About the National Safe Boating Council

The National Safe Boating Council represents over 330 U.S. and Canadian
organizations committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the
boating experience. Visit www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com for campaign materials
and additional safe boating resources.

SOURCE National Safe Boating Council

Media, Dace de la Foret, delaforet@paulwerth.com, or Brent Wilder,
bwilder@paulwerth.com, both +1-614-224-8114; or Technical, Rachel Burkholder,
+1-703-361-4294, outreach@SafeBoatingCouncil.org