2016 North American
Safe Boating Campaign:
“Ready, Set, Wear It!” Life Jacket
World Record Day
Additional Media Resources
Additional Media Resources
Contents
Media Contacts and Spokespersons
3
Coverage Ideas
4
Website Resources
5
Full-Text PSA Scripts
6
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 2
Additional Media Resources
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 3
Additional Media Resources
Media Contacts and Spokespeople
Media Contact:
Yvonne Pentz
Account Supervisor
Paul Werth Associates
[email protected]
Office: 1 (877) 577-0017
Mobile: (440) 670-1294
Spokespersons:
Rachel Johnson
Executive Director
National Safe Boating Council
[email protected]
Office: (703) 361-4294 (Eastern Time)
Fax: (703) 361-5294
Fred Messmann
Deputy Director
National Safe Boating Council
[email protected]
Office: (703) 789-2730 (Pacific Time)
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 4
Additional Media Resources
Coverage Ideas
Media representatives may be interested in featuring life jacket wear from one or more of these story angles:
Saved by the Jacket
Many lives have been saved throughout the U.S. and Canada by boaters who did the responsible thing and
wore a life jacket. The National Safe Boating Council has collected these stories through its Saved by the Jacket
outreach efforts – therefore, it is likely there is a local boater in your city, state or region who has a story to
share. Contact Yvonne Pentz, [email protected], 1 (877) 577-0017, for assistance with identifying a local
survivor.
Inflatable Life Jackets: The Growing Trend in Boating Safety - A live demonstration
Boaters should know that today’s life jackets come in all shapes and sizes from comfortable inherently buoyant
styles to inflatable suspenders and belt packs. Life jackets are no longer only available in the bulky,
cumbersome models of years past and knowing what options are available and what model works best for
your water activity can mean the difference in keeping you and your loved ones safe in the event of an
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 5
Additional Media Resources
emergency. Media representatives may be able to better inform their audience by providing a live
demonstration with the assistance of a trained professional that shows how to properly fit a life jacket and how
each model provides life-saving support. There are even life jackets for our four-legged friends. To view and
download a video on inflatable life jackets, visit safeboatingcampaign.com.
What Do You Know About Life Jacket Safety?
Many people, even among the boating community, have false perceptions of life jacket safety. Media
representatives may consider interviewing boaters at a local park, lake, river or beach to ask the “Man on the
street” (or, in this case, “On the water”) simple life jacket safety questions. The given answers can then be
compared to the actual safety guidelines and laws.
1. How often should life jackets be tested for proper fit and buoyancy?
A: Every year.
2. How many life jackets are boaters required to have on their boat?
A: One for every person.
3. True or False, life jackets come in only one size and shape?
A: FALSE! Life Jackets come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and materials.
4. True or False, life jackets can make it harder to swim if you capsize?
A: FALSE! 84 percent of those who drown, while boating, are not wearing a life jacket.
5. At what age can boaters use inflatable life jackets as an alternative to an inherently buoyant life jacket?
A: 16 years old.
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 6
Additional Media Resources
Website Resources
Our image resources hosted online will provide you with everything you need to spread the message of safe and
responsible boating.
Visit safeboatingcampaign.com to access all of the following resources and more:

Campaign logo

Campaign pledge card

Campaign posters

Campaign ads

Public service announcements

Free resources including brochures, stickers and DVDs

Online photo library

Life jacket images and instructions for proper use

2016 National Safe Boating Week presidential proclamation, customizable proclamation
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 7
Additional Media Resources
Full-Text PSA Scripts
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
:60 RADIO PSA
Boaters, whether new or experienced, love the adventure and fun of a day spent on the water. However, accidents can
happen quickly – so don’t just carry a life jacket – ‘Wear It!’ Most boating fatalities are drownings – and 84 percent of
those who drown while boating were reported as not wearing a life jacket. Now, new styles are available –
comfortable, lightweight and perfect for any boating activity or sport.
May 21 through 27 is National Safe Boating Week. Celebrate by always wearing your life jacket every time you boat.
And ask your friends and family to do the same! Visit safeboatingcampiagn.com for more info. The National Safe
Boating Council, its local partners, and this station remind you to always ‘Wear It!’
###
:30 RADIO PSA
Love the adventure of going boating? Don’t just carry a life jacket – ‘Wear It!’ Accidents happen too fast to reach for
stowed life jackets – but new styles are comfortable, lightweight and perfect for any boating activity. May 21 through
27 is National Safe Boating Week. Visit safeboatingcampiagn.com for more info. The National Safe Boating Council, its
local partners, and this station remind you to always ‘Wear It!’
###
READY, SET, WEAR IT! LIFE JACKET WORLD RECORD DAY
:60 RADIO PSA
Boating safety is going international! Join thousands around the world to set a new record for the most life jackets
worn and inflatable life jackets inflated on a single day this May 21!
Last year, over 10,000 participants set the world record – help us break it in 2016! This one-day event is sponsored by
the National Safe Boating Council and Canadian Safe Boating Council and is part of the yearlong Wear It! boating
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 8
Additional Media Resources
safety campaign. Visit readysetwearit.com for more info. Wear It! and this station remind you: Don’t just carry a life
jacket – ‘Wear It!’
###
:30 RADIO PSA
Help set the world record for the most life jackets being worn and inflatable life jackets inflated on a single day! Join
participates around the world on May 21! The international effort is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council
and Canadian Safe Boating Council. Visit readysetwearit.com for more info. Wear It! and this station remind you: Don’t
just carry a life jacket – ‘Wear It!’
###
(703) 361-4294
Fax (703) 361-5294
readysetwearit.com 9