Date: 05/28/10
Contact: Edwin Lyngar
Phone: (775) 741-1004

NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK PROMOTES LIFE JACKET WEAR, WATER SAFETY

During National Safe Boating Week May 22-28, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) reminds boaters of the importance of wearing a life jacket, the dangers of spring runoff and the need for boating safety during the first boating trips of the year.

Safe Boating Week in Nevada this year includes a life jacket give away scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Lahontan State Park at the day use area near the Silver Springs Boat Ramp. The program was developed by Lyon County Sherriff’s Search and Rescue after serious accidents last year. NDOW will be at the event distributing the boating education correspondence course, Boat Nevada, and give out other boating safety information.

“We are very sensitive to childhood drowning,” said Brian Veil, Lyon County Detective Lieutenant and organizer of the program. “We developed this program to get hundreds of life jackets into the hands of local children in the hopes of having zero drownings in our lake this year.”

The start of National Safe Boating Week also brings people out to the Truckee River, most notably at the Whitewater Park at Wingfield in downtown Reno. Game wardens remind those who love the river that this time of year the water is both cold and fast. People in kayaks, rubber rafts and even swim toys should be aware of conditions and absolutely wear a life jacket while in the river.

“Spring runoff can be dangerous and unpredictable, especially to people who don’t consider themselves boaters,” said David Pfiffner, Nevada’s boating law administrator. “Someone that buys an inexpensive raft or water toy and puts in on the Truckee River should be just as prepared as the most professional kayaker. The water is fast and cold and boaters should be aware of the hazards.”

Spring sometimes comes late in Northern Nevada, and so boaters don’t think about water safety until later in the summer. But whenever a person first enters the water to boat or recreate, NDOW reminds them to make sure boats and safety equipment are ready for their first trip. According to Pfiffner, NDOW often sees a high number of accidents early in the year because boaters forget safety practices from the previous boating season.

“The opening of the season always makes me nervous,” Pfiffner said. “Cold water and unsettled weather conditions in Northern Nevada too often take boaters by surprise.”

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.