National Safe Boating Week

Welcome to the 2014 North American Safe Boating Campaign! As National Safe Boating Week (May 17–23, 2014) and the season approaches, we are preparing for another campaign to spread the message of safe and responsible boating.

This year, we will continue to educate the boating community about life jacket wear and the options that are available when it comes to comfortable and lightweight life jackets. We are also working closely with our partner organizations to create a larger grassroots network and create a more consistent campaign message. We are hoping these collaborative efforts will increase awareness about the importance of always wearing life jackets while on the water.

Once again all of your campaign materials including the order form for your free resources will be available only from http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com. The Web site may look a little different, but all of the resources you're used to are still there. Look under "Campaign Resources" to order your informational materials, and check out "Communications" to view press releases, the 2014 NSBW Proclamation, and to download PSAs and graphics.

Items such as activity sheets and information for kids, information on life jackets, and the recently-released United States Coast Guard Statistics can be found under "Educational Resources." For FAQ and links to our campaign partners, check out "Wear It Campaign." To let people in your area know about events you are holding or to view other events in your area, go to "Events." Also, check out our Message Board where you can exchange ideas and information with other campaign planners.

This year, we're encouraging you to become a part of the national campaign more than ever. We're asking boaters from across the country to share their own "Wear It!" efforts by submitting personal PSAs and boating safety message videos. We'll even broadcast them on the campaign website as well as the campaign YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook sites!

We hope that we have provided you with all of the resources necessary to supplement your own efforts in your area. Remember this is YOUR campaign. If there is anything you feel would make this campaign more useful to you, please let us know by filling out a campaign evaluation.

With your support, we can continue to reduce the number of recreational boating fatalities and help to save lives. If you have any questions about the campaign or its materials, please contact the National Safe Boating Council at (703) 361-4294 or via e-mail atymoslehian@safeboatingcouncil.org.

Have a fun and safe boating season and remember to WEAR IT!!