Cal Boating, Resources Agency Launch Boating Safety Campaign, Boater Education Outreach; ``If it's YOUR Boat, it's YOUR Responsibility''.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) has launched a media and outreach campaign to encourage boaters to be responsible when operating their boats.

"California is known for having some of the best boating in the nation, but we're also known for having far too many boating accidents. Getting people educated about boating safety will go a long way toward reducing accidents and fatalities on the water," said Mike Chrisman, Secretary for Resources.

Cal Boating is reaching out to boaters through safety-oriented radio spots and a pair of community meetings to gather ideas from boaters about improving boater education. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 63 percent of boaters in California have never taken a boating safety course. "We have to improve the education rate for California boaters. A vessel operator's understanding of the `rules of the road' is the very basis of safety on the water," said Raynor Tsuneyoshi, director of Cal Boating. "There has to be a common understanding of boating rules among all boat operators, and that is not happening now."

The media campaign is a combination of first-hand accounts of accidents from victims and statistics on the legal consequences boaters face for boating while intoxicated. The spots focus on the responsibility of the vessel operator with the tag line: "If it's your boat, it's your responsibility."

"For the past several years, we have used humor in our boating safety campaigns to encourage boaters to avoid alcohol, obey the rules of the waterways, and take a boater safety course. This year, we're digging a bit deeper," said Tsuneyoshi. "There's no question that our new radio ads will strike a chord with people because they are emotional stories. But we believe that if boaters know the reality of what can happen when they or another boater isn't trained, isn't paying attention or isn't being responsible, safety will improve, injuries will be reduced and lives may be saved."

The radio campaign will air this week in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mojave, Redding, San Diego, Stockton, San Bernardino/Riverside, and Sacramento. The spots will run Thursday to Sunday each week through Labor Day. The campaign also features waterproof posters, barrel wraps and mobile billboards at 100 marinas and launch ramps statewide and a newly designed website at www.BoatSmarter.com. The Cal Boating Safety Team will be out with their pontoon boat this season making day trips to 30 popular waterways. They will give away safety items featuring the slogan, "My Boat. My Rules" and register people for a chance to win a week-long houseboat vacation from Forever Resorts.

In addition, Cal Boating is hosting a set of two public forums to evaluate boater interest in developing a boat operator education requirement in California.

--The first meeting will be held on July 20, at the Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Airport, La Jolla Room, 6225 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles. The meeting begins at 9 a.m.

--The second meeting, which will build on information gathered in the previous one, is scheduled for August 17, at the Clarion Hotel, Terrace Room, 700 16th Street, Sacramento.

Information will be presented on boating education requirements in other states and the impact these requirements have had on boating safety. Members of the public will also have a brief opportunity to comment if they notify Cal Boating of their interest in advance. If you would like to attend either meeting, please e-mail Margarita Sanchez at [e-mail] or call [phone].

"Cal Boating is holding these sessions to facilitate an informed public dialog on the issue, to hear from all stakeholders," said Tsuneyoshi. "As such, we want to allow the process to move forward and have no position at this time on a mandatory education requirement."

Mandatory boater education has been gaining traction nationwide in recent years and more than 30 states now require some type of certification. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been a driving force behind the nationwide movement toward mandatory education in all states. Mandatory Boat Operator Education is on the NTSB's list of Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements last year.

The Department of Boating and Waterways promotes on-the-water safety and helps develop convenient public access to the waterways through programs funded by vessel registration fees, boating fuel tax dollars and boating facility construction loan payments.