BoatU.S. continues Life Jacket Loaner Program expansion
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Now through February 20, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water is looking for new locations to become lending sites for its free Life Jacket Loaner Program, the foundation reported in a statement today.
The program loans out children’s life jackets from sites such as marinas, boat clubs and other waterfront businesses to boaters who have a temporary need for a kid’s life jacket for the day or weekend. There is no cost to become a loaner site as funding comes from BoatU.S. member donations.
Presently, over 300 clubs and businesses participate as Life Jacket Loaner Program sites, which have loaned out life jackets over 50,000 times since the program began in 1997, reported BoatU.S. The loaner life jackets come in kits of 12 jackets, and include signage and a sign-out sheet to track usage. Three sizes are included for kids up to 90 pounds.
“The new U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulation that took effect this year, in combination with previous state laws, now means that all 50 states have some type of child life jacket law,” said Ruth Wood, president of the BoatU.S. Foundation. “Our program not only saves lives but can prevent a ticket as well.”
To download an application to become a Life Jacket Loaner Program site, visit www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/LJLP. Applications that have been approved will be announced in spring 2004.
The BoatU.S Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit education and research organization funded by the voluntary contributions of 550,000 members of BoatU.S., a recreational boat owners association.
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