SS AMERICAN VICTORY HOSTS TAMPA BAY LAUNCH OF SAFE BOATNG WEEK

SS AMERICAN VICTORY HOSTS TAMPA BAY LAUNCH OF SAFE BOATNG WEEK


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tim Teahan (813) 228-8766
(813) 294-1376


National Maritime Day, Armed Forces Day Observances Also Slated

The Tampa Bay area launch of National Safe Boating Week will be held on Saturday, May 17 on board the SS American Victory, beginning at 12 Noon.

In recognition of National Safe Boating Week and National Maritime Day and Armed Forces Day, admission to the ship is free, beginning at 10 AM. Visitors can view restoration of the American Victory into a mariner's museum and cruising ship and participate in Maritime Day and Armed Forces Day ceremonies, which begin at 11 AM. Safe Boating Week activities start at 12 Noon.

The key message of National Safe Boating Week, May 17-23, is that recreational boaters and their passengers can greatly increase chances of surviving serious accidents by wearing a life jacket while boating. "Boat Smart. Boat Safe. Wear It!" is the 2003 campaign theme that organizations across the country will be promoting.

According to recent Coast Guard statistics, nearly 80 percent of those who died in boating accidents in 2001 were not wearing life jackets, even though in many cases there were life jackets on board. Although boating fatalities and injuries have declined over more than 20 years, numbers still remain high: 681 died in 2001. Statistics emphasize the speed and suddenness of accidents. Two-thirds of all reported recreational boating fatalities in 2001 involved capsizing and falls overboard.

National Safe Boating Week activities on board the American Victory will include marlinspike seamanship and vessel pollution and damage control demonstrations and heaving line throw competitions, designed to involve kids of all ages. Information about the proper use of life jackets and Auxiliary boating safety classes will also be available.

In-water demonstrations by the Coast Guard, harbor tugs, hovercraft, law enforcement vessels, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Marine Unit, and other vessels will follow Maritime Day and Armed Forces Day ceremonies and run concurrently with Safe Boating Week activities.    

National Safe Boating Week is co-sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The American Victory is located in Tampa's Channelside District, adjacent to the Florida Aquarium. Parking is available in The Florida Aquarium parking lot off York Street.

Safe Boating Week information can be obtained at www.safeboatingcampaign.org. National Maritime Day and Armed Forces Day information can be obtained at www.americanvictory.org





This article courtesy of http://www.bestboatguide.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Submit Your Article