NDOW Kicks Off National Safe Boating Week, Boating Safety Promotions

NDOW, Partners To Give Away PWCs, Raise Awareness of Boating Safety, Sober Boating

Contact: Edwin Lyngar

Phone: (775) 688-1548, 741-1004

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is launching its summer boating safety program in conjunction with National Boating Safety Week (May 17-23) with a personal watercraft give away to raise the awareness of boating safety, life jackets and sober boating.

“Wear It!” is the theme of the 2008 North American Safe Boating Campaign. The campaign officially launches during National Safe Boating Week. This year’s campaign is especially relevant given two separate fatal accidents in Nevada already this year. In both accidents, the people killed were not wearing life jackets. In one case, the boater who drowned wasn’t even carrying a life jacket aboard the boat—which is required by Nevada state law.

“Our two biggest issues this time of year are life jacket wear and drinking while boating,” said Rob Buonamici, the chief of law enforcement at NDOW. “If we had all sober boaters, accidents would plummet, and if every boater wore a life jacket, we would see far fewer fatal accidents on boats.”

Children under the age of 13, people being towed behind a boat and anyone operating a PWC are required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket in Nevada. Most adults are not required to wear a life jacket, and national statistics show that ninety percent of those who die in recreational boating are not wearing a life jacket. Drowning is the reported cause of death in two-thirds of all fatalities. “If you think about it, a modern life jacket is a lot less restrictive than the automobile lap and shoulder belt most of us wear without a second thought,” says Virgil Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. “After a few minutes you forget you’re wearing one, but if you happen to be involved in a boating accident, you’ll be very glad it’s on.”

The other major issue for boating safety in Nevada is operating under the influence (OUI). Last year in Nevada, half the boating fatalities were alcohol related, said Fred Messmann, Nevada’s boating law administrator and a game warden. “If we could cut the number of boaters who drink, we know this would automatically cut the number of fatalities we have every year,” he said.

In an effort to curb drinking and boating, Nevada has partnered with Miller Brewing in Reno and Thin Air Motorsports of Truckee to give away two PWCs to safe boaters. NDOW will hold ramp checks during the summer checking boaters for life jackets, fire extinguishers and other required boating items. Boaters who participate in the check can enter the drawing for the free PWC.

"Miller Brewing Company is committed to ensuring that the public boats smart and drinks responsibly,'" said William B. Portillo, Senior Sales Manager at Miller. "We realize the Nevada Department of Wildlife Safe Boating campaign is the perfect partnership to bring safe boating awareness to the public. We are proud to be associated with sponsorships committed to educating in an engaging manner."

Boaters can also enter to win the PWCs at participating Smith’s and Terrible’s Winners Corner. The watercraft that will be given away on July 16, live on the Panama Show, AM 1270 The Buzz.

“We are very grateful to these private businesses who are helping us to spread the message of safe boating,” said Buonamici. “There has been a real excitement in the recreational community and in the boating community for improving safety and developing a message that we can all take to the boaters.”

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for the restoration, protection and management of fish and wildlife resources, and the promotion of boating safety on Nevada’s waters. Wildlife offices are located in Las Vegas, Henderson, Winnemucca, Fallon, Elko, and Reno. For more information, contact the agency web site at www.ndow.org.

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Learn more about Nevada boating at www.ndow.org

Learn more about the National Safe Boating Week at www.safeboatingcouncil.org