October 26, 2009

Summer Safe Boating Program Ends at Lake Mead

The National Park Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Lotus Radio and a large group of Lake Mead National Recreation Area concessionaires recently announced the conclusion of the summer safe boating program at the Lake Mead National Recreation area with an announcement of the grand prize winner.

"This was an unprecedented boating safety partnership," said Rob Buonamici, the chief of law enforcement at the department. "With really tough economic times come new ideas for getting the word out. Without our partners and this effort, we would have had to dramatically cut back our safety efforts."

The campaign revolved around prizes that were donated by the many concessionaires at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. These prizes were awarded throughout the summer to boaters who registered online, took a boating safety course through the department or attended one of the many events at the recreation area.

The grand prize was given to John O'Nesky in September. The prize was a week-long houseboat trip, use of a ski boat and one tank of fuel for each boat.

The state, national and private partnership came together to fuel a summer-long boating safety program to encourage boaters to visit the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and to encourage safe boating during the summer season.

Private vendors at the recreaton area, including Seven Crown Resorts, Lake Mead Cruises, Las Vegas Boat Harbor/Lake Mead Marina, and Forever Resorts gave prizes valued at more than $30,000.

The joint program featured weekly prize drawings, public service announcements, and boating safety events at the recreation area throughout the summer.

"We wanted to encourage boaters to visit our waterways," said David Pfiffner, game warden lieutenant for the department. "But we also wanted them to remember safety when they got here. With limited resources to share our message, this public / private partnership helped us reach thousands of people."

Agencies also conducted events like voluntary boating safety inspections and boat ramp checks during the summer.

The joint campaign Web site www.funonthelake.com will remain a source of information for boaters and fishermen even though this summer's campaign is over, according to Cook.

At the site, boaters can follow links to boating safety courses, learn about next year's offerings and plan a vacation next summer.

# # #