The National Safe Boating Council encourages all boaters to participate in Wear Your Life Jacket to Work (or Home) Day on May 15, 2020, the launch of the 2020 Safe Boating Campaign. No matter where boaters are safely working, they can join in the fun by wearing their life jacket and posting creative pictures on social media for a chance to win a prize.
“If you love boating, this awareness day is for you! No matter if you’re on the job or working safely from home, Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day is an opportunity to have fun and share with others just how much you love boating,” said Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the National Safe Boating Council, the lead organization for the Safe Boating Campaign, a worldwide effort focused on responsible boating.
Boaters may participate by sharing a picture of them wearing a life jacket at work (or home) on social media along with the hashtag #lifejacket2work and tagging @boatingcampaign (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram).
Winners will be chosen randomly throughout the day to receive boating swag from the Safe Boating Campaign, such as t-shirts, dry bags, first aid kits, stickers, and more.
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2018, and that 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
Following Wear Your Life Jacket to Work (or Home) Day is National Safe Boating Week, to be held May 16-22, 2020.
“We can practice social distancing and CDC guidelines while enjoying our nation’s waterways. Let’s remind everyone of the importance of wearing a life jacket and boating responsibly,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “Wearing a life jacket is the easiest safety step a boater can take, similar to a wearing a seat belt when you’re in a vehicle.”
There are many U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for different activities like boating, fishing, paddling or hunting. Boaters should select a life jacket that they’ll want to wear, that fits snug and comfortable, and is appropriate for the recreational water activity and environment.
Boating and fishing access information, educational resources, and more safe boating tips can be found at safeboatingcampaign.com. The Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
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Media Contact:
Yvonne Pentz, National Safe Boating Council, ypentz@safeboatingcouncil.org, 440-670-1294