— MEDIA ALERT —

Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show

SEATTLE, Sept. 12, 2006 – Meet local water-sports Olympians, Husky legends and media personalities including KING TV’s Jeff Renner as they kick-off the 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show – one of the largest floating shows on the West Coast - with the annual Pro-Am Celebrity Sailing Race.

The Pro-Am Race, beginning at 1 p.m., will kick-off the Children’s Water Safety Education Program with local celebrities fitting kids with free lifejackets courtesy of Stearns and Fisheries Supply, while raising awareness for the non-profit youth sailing programs at Sail Sand Point. The Children’s Water Safety Education Program is in partnership with Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, U.S. Coast Guard and other marine organizations. The first 300 kids visiting the Lake Union Boats Afloat Show will be fitted with a free life jacket.

At 2 p.m. check-out the Boatyard Dog Trials, a pawsitively fun and friendly competition for boatyard dogs and their humans. Daily winners – and their humans, will advance to the grand finals on Sunday.

At approximately 3 p.m. at the south end of Lake Union, the Seattle’s newest fireboat, Engine No. 1, will put on a water show on South Lake Union celebrating the opening of the 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show.

The Boats Afloat Show, which runs through Sunday, features over 350 sail and power boats for all budgets and lifestyles ranging from 17-foot affordable, trailerable boats to eight luxury yachts over 80 feet in length. On the exotic side, a 130-foot mega-yacht and a 32-foot personal submarine will be on exhibit -- and for sale at the Boats Afloat Show.

Gates open daily at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday). Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, are available at www.BoatsAfloatShow.com or at the show.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

11 a.m. Gates Open

1 p.m. Pro-Am Celebrity Sailing and Children’s Life Jacket Giveaway
The children’s life jacket giveaway kick’s-off at 1 p.m. on Wednesday with the annual Pro-Am Celebrity Sailing Race featuring KING TV’s Jeff Renner, Seattle Times sports reporters Greg Bishop and John Boyle along with Olympic synchronized swimming gold and silver medalist Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, Olympic rowing silver medalist John Stillings, Olympic canoeist Jordan Malloch, UW basketball legend Chester Dorsey, UW rowing coach and former Olympic coach Bob Ernst and Olympic sculling coach Emil Kossev.

2 p.m. Boat Show Dog Trials
For dog lovers, check-out the Boatyard Dog Trials, a pawsitively fun and friendly competition for nautically challenged boatyard dogs and their humans. Dogs compete in a nautically-challenged agility-style event for great prizes and, of course, barking rights! Man’s best friend will dodge over dinghies, leap through life rings, run around oars and more in this exciting contest.

3 p.m. Seattle Fireboat Engine No. 1 Water Show
Seattle newest fireboat, Engine No. 1, will put on a water show on South Lake Union celebrating the opening of the 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show. Engine No. 1 is a 50-foot fire rescue boat that can pump 6,000 gallons of water a minute and travels at a top speed of 30.5 knots. New to the Seattle Fire Department, Engine No. 1 is the first of its kind outside of the military to be equipped with a “Hunter System” which provides protection to the fireboat crew in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) attack. The Hunter System encapsulates the crew area of the boat and filters out any toxins in the event of a CBRNE incident.

6 p.m. Gates Close
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Getting There
Located at Chandler's Cove on South Lake Union, the Boats Afloat Show is just off the I-5 Mercer Street exit. Designated parking for $5 per day is located at 5th and Mercer about five blocks west of the show near the Seattle Center. A free shuttle runs between the Boat Show and the 5th and Mercer parking lot every 15 minutes during show hours.
 
Help Ease South Lake Union Traffic – Take the Lake Union Water Taxi
Seattle's Electric Boat Company will provide water taxi service on-call and from various locations around Lake Union throughout the show, beginning one hour prior to opening and concluding one hour following closing. Cost is $5 each-way. Call 206-223-7476 to arrange for pick-up.

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.

 2006 LAKE UNION BOATS AFLOAT SHOW
 
What:
Seaing is Believing! 2006 Lake Union Boats Afloat Show
Mega-yachts up to 130 feet, trailerable boats for every budget, even a 32-foot submarine and everything you need to know to help you get on the water. All on the water at South Lake Union's Chandler's Cove.
 
When:
Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Sunday, Sept. Sept. 17
 
Times:
Weekdays – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekends – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
Tickets:
$10 Adults, $5 (Children 12 and under)
$18 Three Day Pass

Listen to the following Seattle-area radio stations to win free tickets:
AM: KIRO 710, KOMO 1000, KVI 570, KTTH 770, KPTK 1090
FM: KING 98.1, 570, KJR 95.7, KWJZ 98.9
 
Getting There
Located at Chandler's Cove on South Lake Union, the Boats Afloat Show is just off the I-5 Mercer Street exit. Designated parking for $5 per day is located at 5th and Mercer about five blocks west of the show near the Seattle Center. A free shuttle runs between the Boat Show and the 5th and Mercer parking lot every 15 minutes during show hours.
 
Help Ease South Lake Union Traffic – Take the Lake Union Water Taxi
Seattle's Electric Boat Company will provide water taxi service on-call and from various locations around Lake Union throughout the show, beginning one hour prior to opening and concluding one hour following closing. Cost is $5 each-way. Call 206-223-7476 to arrange for pick-up.