OLYMPIA – May 11, 2022 – Recreational boating is a popular pastime in Washington. In fact, several hundred thousand Washington residents own at least one canoe, kayak, rowboat, personal watercraft, stand up paddleboard, drift boat, runabout, sailboat, motor yacht or other recreational vessel. Boats and boaters are everywhere!
Boating, however, is not without risk. The chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest can be unforgiving, and safety must be on the minds of everyone who plays in and around Washington waterways.
The Washington State Parks Boating Program, in partnership with the Seattle Mariners, invite you to take the WA Safe Boating Pledge! Pledge to boat safely and responsibly - and encourage those around you to do the same!
The WA Safe Boating Pledge:
Wear a Life Jacket
Wear a life jacket when on or around the water
Boat Prepared
Know weather conditions and know your own limitations
Boat with a Buddy
Boat with a friend or let others know your plans
Be a Role Model
Boat safe and encourage others to do the same
Have Fun!
Enjoy and protect our natural spaces
Learn more and take the pledge at BoatSafeWa.Org.
The release of the WA Boat Safe Pledge coincides with National Safe Boating Week, an annual campaign that encourages and promotes safe boating. National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, is coordinated each year by the National Safe Boating Council and boating safety partners across the United States and Canada. The campaign kicks off prior to Memorial Day and gives boaters tools to make responsible decisions on a daily basis, such as always wearing a life jacket, carrying the right equipment, knowing navigational rules, never boating under the influence and more.
This year, National Safe Boating Week begins on May 20 with Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day. On that day, people can normalize life jacket wear by sporting theirs at their workplace or in virtual meetings, sharing photos and connecting on social media using #WearYourLifeJacketToWorkDay.
As the Grand Finale of National Safe Boating Week, the State Parks Boating Program will attend the Mariners home game on May 27. Mariners announcers will promote the WA Boat Safe Pledge by featuring safety tips throughout the game, and attendees can sign a kayak to demonstrate their commitment to boating safely.
“We are so excited for this partnership and the opportunity to share the safe boating message with baseball fans across the state,” said Boating Program Administrator, Rob Sendak. “Look for the Moose wearing his life jacket around the ballpark!”
In addition, Diana Dupuis, the new director of Washington State Parks, will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch. “This will be an exciting night for the agency,” said Sendak.
Tickets to the game are available for purchase at www.mariners.com/wastateparks.
News media contact:
Ashley Kover, Communications Coordinator (360) 790-5317
ashley.kover@parks.wa.gov
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About the Boating Program
The Washington State Parks Boating Program administers several programs to keep boaters safe and informed of applicable regulations. In addition to Recreational Boating Safety, the Boating Program trains and certifies Marine Law Enforcement programs across the state and administers the Clean Vessel Act to fund pumpout stations that keep Washington waters clean.
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
News release number: 22-024