Boating Enthusiasts Set New Life Jacket World Record at 'Ready, Set, Wear It!' Event

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Jun 5, 2013) - Boating safety enthusiasts set a new world record for life jacket wear during the fourth annual "Ready, Set, Wear It!" Life Jacket World Record Day [http://www.ReadySetWearIt.com] on May 18, 2013. At nearly 200 events around the globe, 5,774 people inflated their inflatable life jacket or wore an inherently buoyant life jacket, breaking the world record for life jacket wear.

Hosted by the National Safe Boating Council [http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/], in partnership with the Canadian Safe Boating Council [http://www.csbc.ca/], "Ready, Set, Wear It!" ushered in National Safe Boating Week. These events are part of a yearlong effort, the North American Safe Boating Campaign ("Wear It!"), which brings together boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets.

"I'm blown away by the number of people internationally who participate in 'Ready, Set, Wear It!' along with their commitment to boating safety and life jacket wear," said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. "Thank you to the Canadian Safe Boating Council, our retail sponsors and many volunteers for their dedication to making this annual event fun and educational while setting a new world record."

Jean Murray, chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council, said, "It's exhilarating seeing boaters get excited and involved in bringing more awareness to consistent life jacket wear. This event continues to grow into a bigger international event, heightening the importance of always wearing a life jacket while on the water."

The previous world record of 3,993 participants was set during last year's event.

Japan had the highest number of participants at a single event, with 440 participants wearing inflatable life jackets or inherently buoyant life jackets at an event hosted by the Marine Sports Foundation in Hatsukaichi City.

In the U.S., Ohio had the highest participation rate in one state, with 897 total participants attending one of 16 events. Ohio also hosted the largest U.S. event at Stillwater Prairie Reserve, sponsored by the Miami County Park District.

"Keeping people safe on the water by reminding them to always wear a life jacket is our biggest goal with this event," said Rodger Norcross, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft. "It's not enough to have a life jacket on board the boat, it needs to be worn at all times while on the water."

Leland, Ltd. and iSi Components provided cartridges and Halkey-Roberts provided additional products to allow participants the opportunity to inflate and practice re-arming techniques of their inflatable life jackets. Marine retail sponsors Cabela's and West Marine hosted events at various store locations. For more information about events and to view pictures, videos, life jacket safety materials, and a full list of sponsors visit ReadySetWearIt.com.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Be sure to follow the campaign on Twitter at twitter.com/boatingcampaign and Like Us at facebook.com/SafeBoatCampaign. For more information visit SafeBoatingCampaign.com.