Third Annual "Ready, Set, Wear It!" Event Sets New Life Jacket World Record

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Jun 12, 2012) - Boating enthusiasts have again blown away the world record for life jacket wear. During the third annual "Ready, Set, Wear It!" event held on May 19, 2012, 3,993 people gathered at more than 145 events around the world to set a new world record for the number of participants who inflated their inflatable life jacket or wore an inherently buoyant life jacket.

The annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/), in partnership with the Canadian Safe Boating Council (http://www.csbc.ca/), ushered in National Safe Boating Week, held May 19-25, 2012. Boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada teamed up to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets, for National Safe Boating Week and throughout the boating season.

The previous world record was set during last year's event, which tallied 1,685 participants.

"Wow -- we are in the history books for a third year!" said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. "Thank you to our partner, the Canadian Safe Boating Council, and the many boating safety educators and volunteer organizations for their hard work to make this annual event fun and educational about boating safety and the importance of life jacket wear."

The success of "Ready, Set, Wear It!" depends on local sponsors and partners. Leland, Ltd. and iSi Components worked with the NSBC to offer over 1,100 CO2 cartridges to allow participants the opportunity to inflate their life jacket, but also practice re-arming techniques of inflatable life jackets. Marine retail sponsors Cabela's and West Marine offered their locations for event organizers throughout the country.

"It's fun to set a world record again this year, but what's more important is getting boaters excited and involved in sharing the importance of life jacket wear," said Jean Murray, chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council. "The simple act of wearing a life jacket while on the water saves lives."

More information about each regional event and to view pictures, videos, educational materials about life jacket safety, and a list of 2012 sponsors is available at www.ReadySetWearIt.com.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign focuses on the goal of educating the public about safe boating and life jacket wear, and relies on events like "Ready, Set, Wear It!" and National Safe Boating Week to bring more awareness to this life-saving cause. The campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information, please visit www.ReadySetWearIt.com or www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com.