First 400 kids at Boats Afloat Show to receive free life jackets

SEATTLE, Sept. 10, 2007 – The first 400 kids in attendance at the 2007 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show, which gets underway on Wednesday, will be fitted with a free life jacket by members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

The life jacket giveaway is part of a Kid’s Water Safety Education Program at The Boats Afloat Show to help kids and their parents learn water safety skills and to encourage the use of life jackets when near the water.  Life jackets are available while supplies last. 

In addition to the free life jacket fitting, kids and their parents who visit the Kid’s Water Safety Booth at the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show can learn basic water safety skills from knowledgeable boaters.  Among the safety topics are small boat entry and exit skills through a short safety exercise, when and how to wear your life jacket, and what do in an emergency.  

The water safety program is in its second year and is a joint effort of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center.  The life jacket giveaway is sponsored by Discovery Yachts, Olympic Boat Centers and Stearns.

“Life jackets save lives,” said Bonnie Bergquist, Manager of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association.  “Research tells us that many kids are still not wearing life jackets on a regular basis.  The most important thing for parents who enjoy boating is to make sure their kids have a properly fitted life jacket and put it on before going near the water.”   

According to research conducted in 2004 for the National SAFE KIDS campaign and Johnson and Johnson, 50 percent of kids aged 8 to 12 admit they never wear a life jacket when riding on a personal watercraft, 37 percent admit they don’t wear a lifejacket when participating in water sports and 16 percent admit they don’t wear a life jacket when on a boat. 

In addition to learning basic water safety skills, kids and their parents who visit the booth can take home Boating Safety Side Kicks, a fun water safety informational coloring book by the National Safe Boating Council and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center’s Stay on top of It water safety booklet along with a small box of crayons.  

With over 340 boats on the water, the 30th annual Lake Union Boats Afloat Show is the largest floating boat show on the west coast.  The show, which runs Wednesday, Sept. 12 – Sunday, Sept. 16, is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under and available online at www.BoatsAfloatShow.com or at the gate.

The 2007 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show is sponsored by Fireman’s Fund Insurance

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About the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association
The Northwest Yacht Brokers Association www.nwyachtbrokers.com is a non-profit marine trade group founded in 1988 consisting of over 340 marine brokers, dealers and other industry professionals representing over 230 marine-related businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Subscribing to the strictest code of ethics, NYBA members are committed to bringing integrity and professionalism to the buying and selling process of new and previously owned pleasure craft. NYBA plays an active role in marine youth and education programs and is active in creating a greater interest in the welfare and safety of the boating public. Along with the Northwest Marine Trade Association, NYBA's January and September Boats Afloat Shows connect thousands of boating enthusiasts with marine professionals and the finest pleasure craft the Northwest has to offer.