State promoting “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” day

This year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is supporting “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day on Friday, May 19. FWP joins boating professionals and enthusiasts to heighten awareness of different life jacket types that are available, including inflatable life jackets and demonstrate their comfort and versatility by wearing them to work.

The annual event, hosted by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) serves as an educational element just prior to National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26,.

Educating the boating public about the safety and comfort of life jackets is the main focus of the North American Safe Boating Campaign.

“Montana has so many boating opportunities,” says FWP boat education coordinator Liz Lodman. “Show your co-workers what type of life jacket you wear when on the water.”

FWP is asking all participants to take a picture of themselves in their life jacket while at work and post it to our social media sites on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #readysetwearit.

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in approximately 75 percent of recreational boating fatalities in 2015, and that approximately 85 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Members of the boating public as well as those interested in showing the wearability of life jackets are encouraged to participate. More information about the event and safe boating is available at www.Facebook.com/ReadySetWearIt.