Observe ‘Wear a Life Jacket to Work Day’ on Friday
By Jackalope Jordan

Posted: May 16, 2018

This Friday folks who make a living on the water, and those who simply live for their time there, will demonstrate new and improved life jacket designs by wearing them to work.

The initiative is organized by the National Safe Boating Council and is supported by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Life jackets aren’t the orange nylon covered foam blocks our grandparents’ boat has stowed in its stern anymore and these organizations want to prove it.

FWP issued the following news release Wednesday:

This year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is supporting “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day on Friday, May 18. FWP joins boating professionals and 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 19-25, the official launch of the 2018 North American Safe Boating Campaign. Educating the boating public about the safety and comfort of life jackets is the main focus of the North American Safe Boating Campaign.

“Montana has so many boating opportunities like sailing on Flathead Lake, water skiing on Holter Lake, fishing on Fort Peck Reservoir or paddling down the Yellowstone River” says FWP boat education coordinator Sara Smith.  “Show your co-workers what type of life jacket you wear when on the water.”

FWP is asking all participants to take a picture of themselves in their life jacket while at work and post it to our social media sites at https://www.facebook.com/MontanaFWP or Instagram montanafwp, and use the hashtag #readysetwearit.

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in approximately 80 percent of recreational boating fatalities in 2016, and that approximately 83 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.

For more information about Montana’s boating rules and safety tips check the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Recreation” then choose “Boating Safety”.

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