New York groups plan safe-boating campaign

New York Sea Grant, the Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York and Marathon Boat Group will introduce the 2011 edition of the Discover Clean & Safe Boating campaign Thursday at the association's meeting in Cicero, N.Y.

"The Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York is pleased to partner with this program because our member marinas and marine-related businesses are all about making boating safer and more enjoyable in ways that also protect the quality of our boating waters," said association president John Jablonski, owner of The Sailboat Shop in Skaneateles, N.Y.

Last year, Marathon Boat Group provided a 19-foot "Made in New York" Grumman aluminum pontoon boat for the campaign. The boat was equipped with all of the gear required and recommended for safe and legal boating on New York waters. The "Discover Clean and Safe Boating" vessel traveled more than 2,500 miles to events in New York state.

For 2011 the Marathon Boat Group will provide a new type of vessel that will fit the new campaign theme. The style of boat and theme will be announced at the meeting.

The first event for the new vessel will be the 2011 Central New York Boat Show at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse Feb. 16-20.

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