05-20-2008, 11:10 AM
COLUMBUS, OH - In an effort to increase life jacket wear among boaters, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft will hold "Wear It Ohio" safety awareness events at Salt Fork, Portage Lakes and Caesar Creek state parks on May 17-18.
<br>Watercraft officers and volunteers will be at selected boat ramps on those three state park lakes to answer boaters' safety questions and award promotional prizes.<br>
<br>The scope of the "Wear It Ohio" campaign is to increase the voluntary wear of life jackets by adults in open motorboats - especially on lakes at Salt Fork, Portage Lakes, Buck Creek and Caesar Creek state parks.<br>
<br>The campaign also includes a life jacket loaner program. The program allows boaters age 18 and older who pledge to wear their life jackets to receive free a new, inflatable life jacket for use this summer.<br>
<br>Wear It Ohio! is adapted from a similar campaign held last year in northern California. It was developed in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council, which sponsors National Safe Boating Week.<br>
<br>Wear It Ohio! events are scheduled for this weekend at:<br>
<br>Portage Lakes - Main Park ramp - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17; and Old Park ramp - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 18<br>
<br>Caesar Creek Lake - Wellman Meadows ramp - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18<br>
<br>Salt Fork Lake - Morning Glory ramp - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18
<br>Watercraft officers and volunteers will be at selected boat ramps on those three state park lakes to answer boaters' safety questions and award promotional prizes.<br>
<br>The scope of the "Wear It Ohio" campaign is to increase the voluntary wear of life jackets by adults in open motorboats - especially on lakes at Salt Fork, Portage Lakes, Buck Creek and Caesar Creek state parks.<br>
<br>The campaign also includes a life jacket loaner program. The program allows boaters age 18 and older who pledge to wear their life jackets to receive free a new, inflatable life jacket for use this summer.<br>
<br>Wear It Ohio! is adapted from a similar campaign held last year in northern California. It was developed in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council, which sponsors National Safe Boating Week.<br>
<br>Wear It Ohio! events are scheduled for this weekend at:<br>
<br>Portage Lakes - Main Park ramp - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17; and Old Park ramp - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 18<br>
<br>Caesar Creek Lake - Wellman Meadows ramp - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18<br>
<br>Salt Fork Lake - Morning Glory ramp - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 18