Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron Wraps Up WEAR IT Campaign

On May 1st, the Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron (America’s Boating Club Marco Island) kicked off its Safe Boating Month, WEAR IT campaign, on Marco Island. The Power Squadron, known for its diverse and extensive safe boating classes, has partnered with local watercraft rental and touring businesses to deliver a personal message of “Be a safe boater and wear a life jacket when on your personal watercraft” to over 2,000 water going individuals in May.

Cool Beans Cruises, Dolphin Explorer, Florida Adventures and Rentals, and Go Cats on the Water are all promoting the WEAR IT message.  During their pre-departure safety message, captains and crew review Seven Safe Boating Tips, which includes the importance of wearing a properly fitted lifejacket when on your personal watercraft. For being good listeners and safe boaters, passengers and renters are rewarded with a coupon card that covers safe boating tips and one-half off an ice cream float at Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe. Commander Dave Chaney of the Power Squadron said, “Our partners have the attention of customers during their safety presentation. This is the perfect time to emphasize the message of how they can be safe boaters on their own watercraft. The captains and crews do an amazing job of keeping their customers safe and this message just reinforces their commitment to safety.”

The Power Squadrons partners have a very broad range of customers who appreciate the safe boating message. For example, Cool Beans Cruises sails with adults and families, and Dolphin Explorer attracts families with young children who enjoy an educational experience. Florida Adventures rents jet skis, kayaks, and paddle boards, while Go Cats on the Water tours with personal powered catamarans through the backwaters. Florida Adventures and Go Cats both require customers to wear life jackets when on their equipment. So, the safe boating message resonates with a diverse group of people who enjoy being on the water with safety at the top of their mind.

During Safe Boating Month, the Squadron and their campaign partners honored Marco Island’s first responders with an ice cream social provided by Sweet Annie’s Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe. The social, held at the new fire station, followed the Marco Island City Council’s proclamation designating May 20-26 as Safe Boating Week on Marco Island. Attending the proclamation and honored at the ice cream social were representatives from Marco Island Fire and Rescue and Marine Group, Marco Island Police Department, Flotilla 95 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Marco Island Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “It is always an honor for us to thank our first responders,” stated the Power Squadrons Past Commander Wanda Burson. “Their tireless and dedicated service makes safe boating possible for residents, visitors, and the business community on Marco.”  

The Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron (America’s Boating Club Marco Island) is a nonprofit, all-volunteer club and has at its mission “Safe boating through education, training, and community service.” The club offers safe boating classes to their members and the public, ranging from the beginner’s ABC course, Boat Handling, On Water Training through Advanced and Celestial Navigation classes. The club attempts to cruise at least once a month to local destinations, get together socially, and support many of the island’s community events. For more information on the Power Squadron, visit marcoboatingclub.org.