Mercury Marine announced today its support of “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day on Friday, May 16, 2014. Mercury joins boating professionals and boating enthusiasts to heighten awareness of different life jacket types that are available, including inflatable life jackets, and demonstrate their comfort and versatility by wearing them to work.
The annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) serves as a fun, educational element just prior to National Safe Boating Week, May 17-23, the official launch of the 2014 North American Safe Boating Campaign. Educating the boating public about the safety and comfort of life jackets has been a main focus of the North American Safe Boating Campaign.
“Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day will take place on Friday, May 16, wherever you are!
“This event promotes life jacket safety awareness in a fun, effective way,” said Pete Chisholm, product safety manager at Mercury Marine. “Wear a life jacket when you boat – that’s the simple message we're promoting. A life jacket won't do you any good if it is stuffed under the seat in your boat. It needs to be worn for it to work. Today's life jackets are lightweight, comfortable, and won't interfere with your activities.”
The National Safe Boating Council is asking all participants to take a picture of themselves in their life jacket while at work and post it to the “Ready, Set, Wear It!” Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/ReadySetWearIt) or submit directly to the NSBC at ymoslehian@safeboatingcouncil.org.
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in almost 71% of recreational boating fatalities in 2012, and that approximately 85 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.
Members of the boating public as well as those interested in showing the wearability of life jackets are encouraged to participate. More information about the event and safe boating is available at www.Facebook.com/ReadySetWearIt.
