Boaters Reminded to Always 'Wear It!' Before High-Boating Traffic July 4th Holiday

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Jun 24, 2014) - July 4^th is more than fireworks and backyard cookouts. It's a high-boating traffic holiday with thousands of people out on the water enjoying the sun and some R&R. But, with approximately 500 people drowning each year from recreational boating accidents, Wear It! reminds boaters about the importance of boating safety and consistent life jacket wear.

"You can have a great time, while choosing to always wear a life jacket and boating responsibly," said Rachel Johnson, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, a lead organization of the annual Wear It! boating safety campaign. "Whether you're an experienced boater or enjoying a summer vacation, always remember to wear your life jacket and be responsible."

Wear It! encourages boaters to take the Boating Safety Pledge before July 4^th and share their dedication to boating safety and wearing a life jacket every time they are on the water. Sign and share the pledge on your Facebook and Twitter accounts at http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/camp-pledge.htm.

Also, the campaign is looking for personal boating stories, whether silly or serious, with a boating safety message. Boaters may share their stories through Labor Day weekend for a chance to win a prize pack with a free life jacket at http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/camp-share.htm.

"Many factors contribute to staying safe while boating, such as wearing a life jacket, boating sober, knowing navigational rules and having a proper lookout," continued Johnson.

Wear It! is proud to support Operation Dry Water, held June 27-29, 2014, a nationwide BUI education and enforcement initiative by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign (Wear It!) unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Canadian Safe Boating Council and many members of the National Safe Boating Council. The campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Share your boating story at SafeBoatingCampaign.com, and follow Wear It! at twitter.com/BoatingCampaign and facebook.com/SafeBoatCampaign.