Safe Boating Awareness Week 2010

All predictions are on El Nino to make this year’s spring and early summer hot and dry.  That means boating will be bigger than ever and an important reason for all members of the CSBC to work extra hard this Safe Boating Awareness Week to remind boaters about boating responsibly.  Although the official date for the week is May 22 – 28, organizers are reaching out now to attract volunteers to lend a hand and help with this year’s campaign.

We are looking for volunteers to dedicate some time in their local area reaching out to the local community newspapers, radio and television stations to get them on board and help promote responsible boating behaviour to their audience.  You will be surprised at how receptive that the local media is to help. Details of what is required by SBAW volunteers can be found in the Volunteer e-Guide on the CSBC web site at http://www.csbc.npts.ca/SBAW/sbaw/awareness_volunteer_eguide.html. 

Although there are no new materials planned for this season, the media you contact will find plenty of pre-existing audio/tv PSA’s and print articles that are print / broadcast ready. 

And if you or anyone you know in your area is planning a local safe boating event to highlight the week, we want to hear about it and promote it.  Send along details on the event’s 5 W’s…Where, When, Who, Why and How (along with photo’s of previous events if applicable) and we will add it to our on line listing.

As with previous years, Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety has been providing financial resources to the campaign and continues to do so for 2010 within their contribution agreement program in which they are supporting SBAW with 75% of the required funding.  We thank them for their support but are looking for more to make up the additional 25% that the CSBC must fund.

Last year’s campaign produced some 59 million impressions across Canada and our post campaign research demonstrated that the aided message awareness clocked in at an incredible 60%.  This year we are working to increase both even more.  SBAW has been one of the three pillars of the CSBC and one of our most important outreach projects, so, if you can lend a hand (or two), let us know right away at ted@csbc.ca.