LAKE HAVASU CITY – The Arizona Game and Fish Department is working to save lives on Arizona's waterways by helping to prevent drownings at Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu with the installation of new Life Jacket Loaner Stations.
AZGFD staff will complete installation of the two newest stations Thursday at Windsor Beach State Park on Lake Havasu. While there, AZGFD will meet with the media at the south and north boat ramps to highlight the history of the program and its goal of protecting boaters and watercraft users from drowning.
"We are excited to bring this lifesaving program to Lake Havasu and Lake Mohave," said AZGFD Boating Safety Education Coordinator Josh Hoffman. "Now those needing a life jacket – for whatever reason – may borrow one from the station, head out onto the lake and return it before they leave. The safety of our water users is our utmost concern and we want to make sure people have as safe and fun an experience as possible."
The two new stations at Lake Havasu follow one other that was recently installed in partnership with the National Park Service at Katherine's Landing on Lake Mohave. Stations have also been installed at Lake Pleasant north of Phoenix and others are planned for the fall.
The stations will hold jackets for infants, child/youth, adult and over-sized passengers. However, users are reminded to return the jackets once they are done with them.
"Just as important as having a life jacket is making sure it fits correctly," Hoffman said. "A life jacket won't be of much help if it's the wrong size."
Having life jackets not only provides immediate protection for the boater, but may save a boater from receiving a citation for not having their children in a life jacket. State law requires all passengers 12 years old and younger to wear a life jacket while on board and each passenger must have a properly fitting, Coast Guard-approved life jacket available. Anyone being towed by a boat or on a personal watercraft such as a Sea Doo or Jet Ski also must wear a life jacket.
Drowning is the most common cause of death in boating incidents. In 2013, six of nine boating-related fatalities in Arizona were due to drowning. Last year there were five boating-related drownings, according to AZGFD law enforcement figures.
For more information on boating in Arizona or to sign up for a safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating.
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The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD's programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.
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