Date: 5/21/08
Contact: C. Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3500

NDOW CALLS FOR LIFE JACKETS AND SOBER BOATERS

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) launched its annual summer boating safety program in conjunction with National Boating Safety Week (May 17-23) just prior to the Memorial Day holiday. Through the campaign NDOW is hoping to raise the awareness of boating safety with special emphasis on life jacket wear and sober boating.

Also getting its start this past week is the 2008 North American Safe Boating Campaign with its life jacket based theme -- “Wear It!” Given that Nevada has already had two fatal boating accidents in 2008, the national and the state campaigns are especially relevant. The people who died in each of these accidents 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 boating related fatalities.”

Children under the age of 13, people being towed behind a boat and anyone operating a personal watercraft, like a Sea Doo or Jet Ski, are required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket in Nevada. Most adults are not required to wear a life jacket though national statistics show that 90 percent of those who die in recreational boating accidents 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.”

Operating a boat while under the influence (OUI) is the other major safety issue for recreational boaters in Nevada. In 2007, half the state’s 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.

As part of its safe boating campaign NDOW will hold boating safety checks throughout the summer. Personnel will check boaters for life jackets, fire extinguishers and other required equipment at boat ramps at Lake Mead, Mohave and others around the state. NDOW is also partnering with Miller Beer and Carter Power Sports in Las Vegas to give away a Kawasaki Jet Ski to promote safe boating, life jacket wear, and sober boating.

Boaters can register to win the personal watercraft in one of three ways: Online with codes displayed at Speedee Marts across the valley, on Lotus radio stations, and at specified events that will be promoted throughout the summer. Complete details can be found on NDOWs web site www.ndow.org.

We are very grateful to these private businesses that 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 (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.