May 20th Safe Boating Day on Lake Mead in Nevada offers visitors a chance to win a Sea-Doo, houseboat vacation, rafting trips and more.
WHAT:
The Lake Mead Safe Boating Partnership will kick-off the first day of
2006 National Safe Boating Week with its first public event - "Safe
Boating Day" - on May 20th at Lake Mead's Hemenway Harbor. The many
activities will include life jacket instruction (free life jackets for
the first 250 attendees), at-the-water boating safety and training for
personal watercraft (PWC), vessel safety checks provided by the U.S.
Power Squadrons, safety demonstrations for all boats including
houseboats, kayaks and canoes, and boat launching demos. Admission to
Lake Mead will be free for all Safe Boating Day participants. Attendees
who show proof of successful completion of any U.S. Coast Guard or
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)
approved boating safety and take the May 20th "at-the-water mini course"
will be eligible to win a brand new 2006 Sea-Doo GTI personal
watercraft, a family houseboat vacation, or a Colorado River rafting
trip or kayak tour.
WHO:
Park Officials from Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Representatives from the California Department of Boating and Waterways,
Nevada Department of Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the
Personal Watercraft Industry Association
WHEN:
Saturday May 20, 2006
10 AM - 2:00 PM
WHERE:
Hemenway Harbor, Lake Mead (Nevada)
WHY:
National Safe Boating Week takes place May 20-26, before Memorial Day
weekend, the unofficial start of the boating season. About 8-10 million
people visit Lake Mead National Recreation Area each year, many from
California. On a busy weekend, up to 5,000 vessels can be on the lakes
in the Recreation Area. Sadly, however, boating accidents do occur -
many of which are preventable if boaters learn how to become safer
boaters. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, nearly 90 percent of those
who drowned in 2004 were not wearing a lifejacket. On May 20, we will
share some potentially life-saving "safe boating tips" with your
audience that can help improve safety and reduce accidents on the water.
Launched in January 2006 by the National Park Service, the California
Department of Boating and Waterways, the Arizona Game & Fish Department,
the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and the Personal Watercraft Industry
Association, the Lake Mead Safe Boating Partnership aims to improve
safety and reduce boating accidents and fatalities at Lakes Mead and
Mohave.
For information visit www.boatlakemead.com.
