We’re grateful for the dedicated partners of the Safe Boating Campaign! Recently, we interviewed Captain Jon Meyer with Boat Safe Chicago and Boat Safe Great Lakes to learn more about his safe boating efforts. Boat Safe aims to educate new and seasoned boaters, partnering with boat manufacturers, dealerships, and like-minded organizations to ensure the accessibility of safe boating training for all who take to the water.
Outreach efforts this year included sharing the message that on-the-water training is available in Chicago as well as throughout the United States. Boat Safe Great Lakes has a training area covering 16 states including 49 strategic cities. Captain Jon and team also attended yacht club events, professional captain meetings, and participated with the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee, partnering with several organizations that support safe boating in their community.
Captain Jon and team are intentional about promoting life jacket and boating safety, holding themselves to a higher standard in hopes of positively influencing others to do the same. Life jackets are worn on the docks, walking through the harbor, and are distributed to students before stepping onto the dock.
Boat Safe captains seize every opportunity to reach their audience and promote safety. They have successfully helped people launch and dock their boats safely and trained people on Narcan administration. Their “Coffee with a Master Captain” initiative also helped provide a platform to meet boaters in different harbors, offer free advice, answer questions, and let boaters know about the availability of formal training.
Local residents can attend group training classes in late winter at yacht and sailing clubs and harbors in the spring. NSBC curriculum is utilized to help boaters advance their skills and knowledge.
Captain Jon can share many real-life stories of how wearing a life jacket has saved members in his community. On one occasion, Jon’s team was on a charter inside the famous “Chicago Playpen” preparing to head back to the harbor. The captain noticed something in the northeast corner of the outer break wall; two people clinging to a sinking PWC. The captain radioed the Chicago Police marine unit, and they were on-site within five minutes. “It was the life jackets that kept those people alive,” notes Jon.
Captain Jon’s top safety tips for people looking to enjoy time on the water this year include everyone, including children and pets, wearing a life jacket, slowing down, and filing a float plan with a neighbor, yacht club staff, or friend – someone not on the boat with you!
In closing, Captain Jon notes like-minded partnerships provide the pathway to making a lasting difference in creating safer waterways. Brainstorming with local universities, boat clubs, and nonprofits can lead to new opportunities. “Think outside the box,” he encourages.
Learn more at www.boatsafechicago.com and www.boatsafegl.com.
Do you have your own Saved by the Jacket story or know someone who should be featured on the blog? Email us at outreach@safeboatingcouncil.org.