What's New
Click the links below to read about each section in the What's New page:
Poster Contest Winners Announced
Safety Fair Highlights
Boating Classes
New Ordinance for Big Payette Lake Watershed
Public Service Announcements from a Marine Deputy (updated July 24, 2008)
Life Jacket Loaner Program
Winners for Idaho's 2008 "Wear It!" Campaign Poster Contest
Just because the official 2008 National Safe Boating Week has ended, does not mean boaters, anglers, and anyone else who enjoys Idaho’s waters should forget this year’s “Wear It!” theme. In a press release from the National Safe Boating Council, Executive Director Virgil Chambers puts it in the best words: “If you think about it, a modern life jacket is a lot less restrictive than the automobile lap and shoulder belt most of us wear without a second thought….After a few minutes you forget you’re wearing on. But if you happen to be involved in a boating accident, you’ll be very glad it’s on.” Virgil’s point? Today’s life jackets come in all shapes and sizes. Some even have a “suspender” look to them and only inflate when the jacket is submersed in water or a cord is pulled. There really is no longer a “good” excuse for not wearing a life jacket.
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Boating Program held a poster contest open to all Idaho fourth graders to help spread the “Wear It!” message and the winners were officially announced during Safe Boating Week. One winner from each region was chosen and then out of those three entries, a state winner was determined. The winners, their prizes, and pictures of their posters are listed below.
East Region State Winner Cameron Harper from Mrs. Baldwin's Rockford Elementary class in Blackfoot
- Prizes received included a life jacket, East Region Winner t-shirt, State Winner t-shirt, and a $50.00 education bond
South Region Kelby Cox from Mrs. Langley's Fruitland Intermediate class in Fruitland
Prizes received included a life jacket and South Region Winner t-shirt
North Region Maria Munger from Mrs. Schumacher's Prairie Elementary class in Cottonwood
- Prizes received included a life jacket and North Region Winner t-shirt
You can still read the Governor's Proclamation here.
Safety Fair at Lucky Peak
The sun was out, the weather was warm, and everyone who joined us for our Safety Fair at Lucky Peak on May 17 had a blast! This fair kicked off the 2008 Safe Boating Week (May 17-23) for the Boating Program. Information and activities were provided for children and adults to help them realize the importance of being safe on the water.
Activities at the Boating Safety Fair included:
- Safe entry and exit of small boats
- The chance to practice saving someone’s life by throwing them either a ring buoy or a safety rope
- Life Jacket relay race
- Free Boat Inspections were conducted by local Marine Deputies
- Free boat safety information was also available for the public
Pictures of the event are coming soon!
Boating Classes
The Boating Education page is continually updated as new classes become available. Click here to access a list of current classes.
New Ordinance for Big Payette Lake Watershed
A new ordinance for the Big Payette Lake Watershed was passed by Valley County. Click here to find out more.
Thoughts From An Active Marine Deputy
You've driven a boat for most of your life and you are comfortable operating it. What's even better is your family is comfortable letting you operate it while they enjoy the water. But, what happens if something happens to you? Does your family know what to do? Read below for some helpful hints to make sure you make it back to shore in an emergency
“Share It With Your Kids”
By Bruce Cameron, Owyhee County Marine Deputy
All year long, I safety check boats and families, while for the most part just standing back. Some watch and some don’t—they just sit there in the pickup. Occasionally, someone will ask a question or two and I try to answer their questions so they understand.
As parents, boat owners, and/or boat operators, we need to do a better job of sharing what we know about this great sport and recreational activity. We need to teach our kids or whoever you take with you what to do in an emergency, and in general the workings of your boat. Here are a few things they should be familiar with:
1. How to start and shut off the boat.
2. Fire Extinguisher(s) – Where they are and how they work
3. How to possibly save or rescue someone that has fallen overboard or has taken a bad spill from a tube or water ski
4. What you should do in the event of being caught in a bad storm or caught out on the water after dark, possibly broke down
5. How to load and unload the boat.
If you take a minute to think about it, someone taught you and now it’s your turn or responsibility to pass it on. If your not sure or don’t know, don’t be afraid to say so and find out together.
The kids are our future and they are the ones that will take care of us when we get old (hopefully).
Life Jacket Loaner Program
Remember everything except the life jackets? Your State Park may have some available for loan! To find out if your favorite State Park has life jackets, all you need to do is ask at the Entrance Station or Visitor’s Center and the friendly park staff would love to help you out!
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Learn more from the
National Safe
Boating Council |
Remember—Life Jackets only save lives when worn.