National Safe Boating Week to Increase Waves of Awareness

TALLAHASSEE – In honor of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson and the Florida Cabinet’s resolution recognizing National Safe Boating Week this week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Clean Marina Program and Clean Vessel Act (CVA) grant program, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and U.S. Coast Guard’s joint “Wear It!” campaign, join in encouraging Floridians to practice clean and safe boating habits.

“Boating is one of Florida’s great recreational activities, especially during the summer,” said Deas Bohn, DEP’s Director of Sustainable Initiatives. “The designation of National Safe Boating Week is an outstanding reminder of how important safe boating is to our communities and to our environment.”

In support of statewide efforts to promote National Safe Boating Week, the Florida Clean Marina Program continues to fuel a voluntary and proactive approach to environmental stewardship. Designated Clean Marina facilities voluntarily implement environmental measures designed to protect Florida’s waterways. These measures address critical environmental issues such as sensitive habitat, waste management, stormwater control, spill prevention and emergency preparedness, which all ensure environmental and travel safety.

During National Safe Boating Week, DEP’s CVA grant program reminds boaters to use pumpout and dump stations to dispose of waste in an environmentally safe manner. The CVA grant program provides funds to marinas and marine facilities for the construction, renovation, operation and maintenance of pumpout and dump stations for disposing of waste from recreational boat holding tanks and portable toilets.

“Many Floridians overlook the priceless value life jackets provide while boating,” said Captain Carol Keyser of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “The wide variety of comfortable, affordable and stylish life jackets on the market today offer all ages the protection they need and deserve.”

Since increasing voluntary wear of life jackets among Florida’s boating population is perhaps the single most effective way to reduce boating accident outcomes, Floridians are encouraged by the FWC, U.S. Coast Guard and partners to ‘Try an inflatable life jacket and Wear It! Florida,’ in support of National Safe Boating Week.

For more information about the Florida Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.

For more information about the Clean Vessel Act, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina/cva.

For more information on Wear It! Florida, visit http://www.wearitflorida.com/ .