|
The 2010 WaterWise Boat Safety Team will be traveling throughout B.C. this summer with the goal of encouraging safe and responsible boating by promoting their 5 key safety messages:
Enjoy Boating Safely
It's great family recreation, when done safely
Have fun in the sun, but don’t drink ‘til you’re done
Please don’t drink and boat
It won’t work if you don’t wear it
Always wear an approved PFD or lifejacket
Be an environmentally friendly boater
Keep our waters clean
Get properly trained
Obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card
Representing the Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon Branch, the Team is committed to increasing safety education and awareness within the boating population. While boating is one of Canada’s most popular summer activities, it is also one of the leading causes for recreation-related death and injuries. The statistics show that fishermen/anglers and males aged 25-64 are the most likely to drown. We aim to reach these higher risk individuals through our exciting appearances at various water venues across Western Canada.
The WaterWise Team's goal is to reach as many boaters as possible by attending numerous special events and activities that attract large crowds of recreational boaters. These events allow them to promote safe boating and invite the public to take part in fun, educational demonstrations and activities. They will be distributing 5000 boat safety kits across B.C. that include resources such as Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide and other boat magazines/publications. The Team will be performing on-water boat demonstrations with our sponsored 2000 Campion boat to demonstrate to the public how they can become more WaterWise when they are out on the water this summer.
They are also looking forward to working in partnership with a number of media agencies, which help to promote the Team’s presence at various events where they reach extremely large audiences, as well as high traffic boating areas.
The purpose is to create a safer boating environment for everyone. Corporations, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and many well-respected companies have joined the WaterWise Team as partners to make this project possible. The WaterWise Boat Safety Team has the BC Marine Trades Association, the “Discover Boating” campaign as a major sponsor, and the Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon Branch as the lead agency. Other organizations include Mustang Survival, EZ Loader, Boat Guide Magazine and the Transport Canada. The Team is fortunate to have many generous sponsors supporting the program in a variety of ways. The program is in its eleventh year running in BC, and they anticipate an exciting summer on the water once again this season. |
