SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 8, 2013) – Bring your old, tired, mustard-stained life jacket to a participating U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District park May 24 and we’ll give you a fresh, new U.S. Coast Guard-approved type III life jacket in return – courtesy of the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
“Life jackets that are sun-bleached, punctured, dried out or exposed to strong solvents can become less effective as life-saving devices,” said Jonathan Friedman, senior district park ranger for the Sacramento District. “Through this program, our boaters and swimmers can receive a fresh, new U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket to begin this new season on the water.”
“It is also vital that your life jacket fits you properly,” said Friedman. “Our Corps rangers will be happy to make sure you have the proper size water safety equipment.”
"This is the 14th year of our life jacket exchange program," said Sylvia Ortega Hunter, DBW's acting director. "Celebrate Safe Boating Week with a modern, safe life jacket -- perfect for active sports on the water."
Full information including how to properly fit a life jacket and the state-wide locations where you can participate in the life jacket exchange can be found here http://www.wearitcalifornia.com and at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/LifeJacketTradeIn.aspx
Following are the Sacramento District park locations where life jackets will be exchanged:
Black Butte Lake Buckhorn Campground May 24
Eastman Lake Codorniz Campground Amphitheater May 24 (6-8 p.m.)
Hensley Lake Hidden View Boat Ramp May 24
Lake Kaweah Lemon Hill Recreation Area June 8
New Hogan Lake Fiddleneck Recreation Area May 24 (4-6 p.m.)
Pine Flat Lake Deer Creek Recreation Area May 24
Martis Creek Lake Main boat ramp May 24
Stanislaus River Parks Knights Ferry Visitor Center May 24 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Success Lake Tule Recreation Area May 24