WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - November 10, 2010) - The National Safe Boating Council's (NSBC) "Wear It!" campaign has reached a record audience and set new precedent for safe boating awareness during the 2010 boating season. The campaign, a national outreach program focused on educating boaters about the importance of life jacket wear, aims to increase life jacket safety awareness and encourage boaters to wear a life jacket every time they are on the water.
"Every year, we try to take the 'Wear It!' message to the next level in order to reach more people and 2010 was no exception; we want to celebrate this tremendous success as we look forward to making an even bigger splash in 2011," said Virgil Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. "The importance of wearing a life jacket each and every time you're on a boat cannot be overstated. Many boaters think life jackets aren't needed unless they're in an emergency situation. The 'Wear It!' message is about educating boaters that you can't plan for emergencies, but you can have just as much fun on the water while wearing today's modern, comfortable and unobtrusive styles of life jackets, such as inflatable life jackets."
According to the National Safe Boating Council, highlights of the 2010 campaign include the distribution of 1,580 life jackets to individuals across the country; setting an international world record during "Inflatable Life Jacket World Record Day"; completing a revolutionary new interactive video campaign, utilizing Facebook Connect technology; and the adoption of the "Wear It!" message by all 50 U.S. states.
In addition, the National Safe Boating Council would like to congratulate the winner of the "Be a Survivor!" contest, Ken Baer. Ken tells the harrowing story of his catamaran getting caught in a treacherous storm as he sailed off the coast of SC on his own. His boat hit a jetty and was quickly sinking. Ken had donned his inflatable life jacket long before the storm had caused chaos on the seas and, as he jumped into the cold water and watched his boat sink, he was alive because of his life jacket. Ken will receive the Safe Boating Campaign "Summer Fun" package, which includes an inflatable life jacket, "Wear It!" beach towel and a Flip MinoHD™ video recorder to record his fun times on the water.
"We hope that through our many events, contests and interactive campaigns we can spread the 'Wear It!' message in a positive, entertaining way that seems to fit perfectly with the fun that comes along with every boating and water activity," Chambers said.
Life jacket wear by every boater is the leading goal of the North American Safe Boating Campaign, which kicks off with National Safe Boating Week (held May 21 - 27, 2011). The North American Safe Boating Campaign unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including 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.
Contact Information:
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