DPS Boating Safety promotes life jacket awareness

The Department of Public Safety’s Boating Safety, in conjunction with Canadian Safe Boating Council, hosted the Life Jacket World Record Day last weekend at the Civic Center in Susupe.

Boating Safety is promoting the use of life jackets as part of its “Wear It! Campaign” on boating safety.

DPS Boating Safety education officer Jeff Sato said the event was held to encourage all boaters and beachgoers to wear lifejackets all the time because accidents happen in the water.

“We want them to wear it at all times when on a boat. If you’re injured, you don’t float, you sink, so were trying to promote the awareness of using life jackets,” Sato said.

Vouchers were handed out at the event to help people obtain lifejackets.

Later in the afternoon, everybody put on life jackets as part of a national effort to beat the world record for the most number of people wearing lifejackets. A picture of everybody with their life jackets will later be sent to national organizers of the “Ready, Set, Wear It” campaign.

According to Sato, last year’s world record was 5,774 participants and he said it is kind of impossible to set that record here on the CNMI but his main concern is to raise awareness of the importance of always using a life jacket.

Last year’s “Wear It”’ campaign had 5,774 participants, 1,282 inflatable jackets, 4,492 inherently buoyant life jackets, 57 dogs in life jackets, and a total of 189 events held worldwide in celebration of Life Jacket World Record Day.

Saturday’s event was part of National Safe Boating Week that started on May 17 and will end on May 23.

Besides promoting awareness about life jacket use, the event also featured static displays of big boats, jet skis, fire and rescue trucks, and different types of life jackets (offshore life jackets, near-shore buoyant vest, flotation aid, throwable devices, special use jackets, and inflatable and hybrid jackets).

Offshore jackets are used in open, rough, or remote waters where rescue may be slow in coming, while near-shore buoyant vests are used on calm waters, inland waters, or fast rescue areas because it is not designed to withstand long hours in rough waters.

Flotation aids and throwable devices are also good only for calm and inland waters where help is nearby, but throwable devices are also used in areas with heavy boat traffic.

Special-use jackets are designed for water activities such as rafting, working on vessels, and sail boarding. Inflatable and hybrid jackets are only required for use during special activities or with legal requirements.