BOATsmart! Coast-To-Coast - Canada's Safe Boating Educator to hit more than 100 communities this summer
8th Annual BOATsmart! Awareness Week aims to educate boaters on how to stay safe on the water during the upcoming Victoria Day long weekend
TORONTO, May 12, 2014 /CNW/ - BOATsmart!, the country's largest Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) provider and Canada's leader in boating safety, today announced the launch of BOATsmart! Coast-To-Coast, a summer tour that will stop in more than 100 communities across the country to celebrate our nation's love of boating while instructing Canadians on how to stay safe on the water.
BOATsmart! Coast-To-Coast begins at Toronto's Harbourfront this Wednesday, May 14th (11am to 2pm). Coinciding with the 8th annual BOATsmart! Awareness Week (May 12 to 18), the event aims to educate boaters on how to stay safe on the water during the upcoming Victoria Day long weekend.
"During BOATsmart! Awareness Week we want to remind Canadians that even though the weather has finally warmed up, the water is still very cold," says BOATsmart! President Cameron Taylor. "As always, we urge boaters to keep the beer on the pier this May long weekend and to wear a lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device."
Year after year, statistics show that in 79 per cent of boating fatalities the victims are not wearing a lifejacket or PFD, and cold water immersion plays a part in about 45 per cent of all boating deaths in Canada, according to The Lifesaving Society. In addition to wearing a lifejacket/PFD and not consuming alcohol while on the water, all operators of motorized vessels are required by law to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (boat license). Boaters can test their knowledge, learn essential safety skills and take the official Transport Canada Accredited test at www.BoatSmartExam.com. BOATsmart! also created this handy, step-by-step video to teach Canadians how they can easily obtain their Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
While visiting 100+ communities and participating Canadian Tire locations across the country, BOATsmart! Coast-To-Coast will be encouraging Canadians to share their favourite #BoatSmartMoment on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. BOATsmart! will also make a donation to kids camps for disadvantaged youth for every moment shared.
"What better way to celebrate BOATsmart!'s 10th year as Canada's Leader In Boating Safety than by hitting the water in hundreds of communities across the country this summer," says Taylor. "BOATsmart! Coast-To-Coast will connect boaters across Canada with each other and their passion for boating. It's about sharing unforgettable boating moments – those favourite experiences with family and friends— and continuing to empower Canadians to boat with confidence."
About BOATsmart!
BOATsmart!® empowers Canadians to boat with confidence. After all, it's about creating unforgettable memories out on the water with friends and family. Sharing experiences and making the most of your time together. As Canada's leader in boating safety, BOATsmart!® is the nation's largest Transport Canada Accredited Provider of the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Federal law requires all operators of motorized boats in Canada to obtain an Operator Card, commonly known as a boating license. BOATsmart!® also offers recreational boat insurance, boating safety gear and a free boating APP. Learn more at www.BoatSmartExam.com.
SOURCE: BOATsmart!
For further information: For more information on BOATsmart Awareness Week, and to find out when the BOATsmart! Coast-To-Coast tour will be in a community near you, please contact: Cameron Taylor, BOATsmart!, [email protected], Office: 705-745-2878 x 212, Mobile: 416-524-8943; Steve Dominey, [email protected], Office: 613-688-1188, Mobile: 613-899-2709
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