|
|
|
|
|
Media Inquiries
614-265-6860 |
|
|
|
|
|
May
10
Written by:
news editor
5/10/2011 1:00 AM
“Wear It Ohio!” has become a familiar slogan for the more than 1,600 Ohio boaters who have agreed to accept a new inflatable life vest on loan for the boating season.
COLUMBUS, OH – “Wear It Ohio!” has become a familiar slogan for the more than 1,600 Ohio boaters who have agreed to accept at no cost a new inflatable life vest on loan for the boating season from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Watercraft.
The “Wear It Ohio!” program is a life jacket awareness campaign initiated in 2008 by the Division of Watercraft to encourage boaters to wear life jackets or inflatable vests anytime while boating. A total of 24 “Wear It Ohio!” promotional events are scheduled for this year and will be divided among event sites held at boat launch ramps at Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County, Caesar Creek State Park in Warren County, East Fork State Park in Clermont County and Portage Lakes State Park in Summit County.
The kickoff event is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hollenback boat launch ramp at Alum Creek Lake. It will then be followed by three additional events held May 21 at Caesar Creek, East Fork and Portage Lakes state parks in observance of the start of National Safe Boating Week (May 21-27). Additional events are scheduled at each of the four state park lakes through July.
Last year, a total of 732 new inflatable life jackets were loaned to boaters ages 18 and older who participated in a "Wear It Ohio!" event and signed the campaign pledge as their agreement to support the life jacket awareness program. These participants had the option to keep their loaned life jackets during the 2011 boating season by renewing their pledge.
New program participants are required to attend one of the campaign events and sign a pledge card in which they agree to:
- “Wear It Ohio!” while boating and fishing
- Know how it works and keep it in good condition
- Encourage others to wear a life jacket while boating and fishing
- Tell other boaters about new life jacket styles
- Boat safely and responsibly at all times
- Return the life jacket by October 31, 2011 to the Division of Watercraft.
A full event schedule and additional program information is available online at http://ohiodnr.com/watercraft/WearItOhio/tabid/2482/default.aspx and by calling 614-265-6435.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
For more information, contact:
Rob Lucas, ODNR Division of Watercraft
614. 265. 6435
Jason Fallon, ODNR Office of Communications
614. 265. 6842
Tags:
|
|
|