Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! gets on board

Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! gets on board with Safer Boating Week

The Yachting New Zealand programme Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! is getting behind Safer Boating Week distributing waterproof cell phone bags to all sailors taking part in the programme this week.

‘Bag Your Cell’ is one of the catch phrases of this year’s Safer Boating Week – that aims to drive home the message to boaties to take reliable communications when out on the water.

“Too many recreational boaties end up in the water or in difficulty and have no way of calling for help,” says Maritime NZ education and communications manager Pania Shingleton. “Take two ways to call for help, is one of our key messages to people going out on the water.”

Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! is a programme offered to schools throughout the country, designed to give students aged 8 to 12 the opportunity to experience the thrills and spills of sailing in a safe and well managed environment.

Yachting New Zealand’s Chief Executive David Abercrombie says, “Having the opportunity to educate kids at an early age about water safety gives us the best chance of growing a culture of safe behaviour on the water. We hope the students taking part in the programme take those safety messages home and help create awareness within families”.

Along with the ‘Bag Your Cell’ message, the programme also teaches students about the importance of wearing correctly fitting lifejackets and how to assess weather conditions and other marine hazards, all in a fun hands on way.

The Yachting New Zealand Volvo Sailing… Have a Go! programme provides sailing opportunities for around 3,600 children each year from all across New Zealand. The programme is made possible with the support of The Lion Foundation and Maritime New Zealand.

Safer Boating Week on 16–23 October 2015 aims to focus boaties’ attention on key safety messages as they get their vessels and gear ready for the traditional start of the boating season at Labour weekend.

ENDS

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