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NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS Press Room at https://www.boatus.com/pressroom
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
Photo Available at: https://www.boatus.com/pressroom/previewImg/hiRes/919.jpg
Photo Caption: The best seats for waterfront fireworks are from a boat, but
boat owners will need to be cautious this holiday week, says BoatUS.
Go
Slow, Expect Delays, Says Boat Owners Group on
Expected Heavy Boating Traffic for July 4th Holiday Week
BoatUS: Traditional Peak of the Recreational Boating
Season
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 24,
2013 - Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS)
says this July 4th holiday week will be a doozie for America's recreational
boaters. While boaters will have the best views for waterfront fireworks
shows, "From June 29 to July 7, America will have more boats on the
water than at any other time during the entire summer boating season,"
said BoatUS Director of Public Affairs Scott Croft. "Patience will run
thin, mistakes will happen. Our 24-hour call centers are expecting several
thousand requests for routine breakdowns, dead batteries, or flat trailer
tires."
BoatUS has these five tips
to keep boaters happy and safe:
- Have a life jacket for everyone
aboard, and if guests aren't wearing it, keep it near them, under a seat
ready to grab. It's the number one step you can take to ensure everyone
has a good day on the water. If you need to borrow a right-sized kids
life jacket (at no cost), go to the BoatUS Foundation's Free Kids Loaner
program, www.BoatUS.com/foundation/ljlp.
- Be patient: The July 4th
holiday is traditionally America's busiest recreational boating period,
with the most on-the-water traffic. Go slowly after fireworks shows end,
post extra lookouts on the way home, and be prepared for delays at the
launch ramp.
- In freshwater, very small
amounts of 120-volt AC current can kill. If the kids want to take a
swim, never allow it in a marina, and only swim near a private dock if
it is without electrical service or the power has been shut off at the
source.
- Dead batteries and prop
entanglements lead the list of requests for on water towing assistance.
Download the BoatUS Towing App at www.BoatUS.com/towingapp
to summon water or roadside assistance. On water towing plans start at
$43 for freshwater. BoatUS Trailer Assist roadside towing program with
100 miles of truck+trailer towing starts at $14, plus $24 BoatUS or
BoatUS Angler membership. Marina discounts on fuel, transient slips and
tackle shops are included.
- Go ahead and celebrate
America's birthday with gusto! Just remember that being on the water all
day can exacerbate alcohol's effects, so think about holding off until
after you've safely made it home, and drink lots of water.
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About BoatUS:
Boat Owners Association of
The United States (BoatUS)
is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over
half-million members with government representation, services such as 24-hour
on water boat towing as well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow
vehicles, feature-packed boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits that
include marina and West Marine shopping discounts, and vital information that
improves the boating, fishing and sailing lifestyle. Its member-funded BoatUS
Foundation is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible
boating.
©2013,
Boat Owners Association of The United States All Rights Reserved |
