West Marine/USCG form safety alliance
WATSONVILLE, Calif. – Specialty boating retailer West Marine has formed a strategic partnership with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary to promote boating safety throughout the country via public education courses, vessel safety checks and outreach efforts, the company said in a release this morning.
The pact includes a plan to establish structured contact between West Marine store management and local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel, encouraging in-store safety classes, public safety booths, vessel safety check stations as well as in-store promotion of outside vessel safety check locations.
In addition, West Marine will support the vessel safety check program through articles and information provided to customers in its catalogs, promotional mailers, purchasing guides and in-store literature.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s free vessel safety check program offers complimentary boat inspections by Auxiliary members to determine boaters’ compliance with Coast Guard mandated safety measures. The educational vessel safety checks provide a penalty-free opportunity for boaters’ to brush up on required equipment and to make necessary safety changes to their vessels.
“We’re extremely proud to announce this partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to promote safe boating,” said John Edmondson, West Marine’s CEO. “We’re pleased to offer our customers convenient opportunities for boating safety education right in our stores.”
The West Marine-U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary alliance also will include the establishment of links between Web sites, as well as cross-educational activities including presentations by West Marine personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary meetings.
“The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is optimistic that our boating safety alliance with West Marine will provide numerous opportunities to reach sailors, power boaters, water sports and fishing enthusiasts with important boating safety resources and opportunities for vessel safety checks,” said Jesse Harrup, chief – Department of Boating, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
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