What's New

Click the links below to read about each section in the What's New page:


Poster Contest Winners Announced
Safety Fair Highlights
Boating Classes
New Ordinance for Big Payette Lake Watershed
Public Service Announcements from a Marine Deputy (updated June 5, 2008)
Life Jacket Loaner Program

 

Winners for Idaho's 2008 "Wear It!" Campaign Poster Contest 

Just because the official 2008 National Safe Boating Week has ended, does not mean boaters, anglers, and anyone else who enjoys Idaho’s waters should forget this year’s “Wear It!” theme. In a press release from the National Safe Boating Council, Executive Director Virgil Chambers puts it in the best words: “If you think about it, a modern life jacket is a lot less restrictive than the automobile lap and shoulder belt most of us wear without a second thought….After a few minutes you forget you’re wearing on. But if you happen to be involved in a boating accident, you’ll be very glad it’s on.” Virgil’s point? Today’s life jackets come in all shapes and sizes. Some even have a “suspender” look to them and only inflate when the jacket is submersed in water or a cord is pulled. There really is no longer a “good” excuse for not wearing a life jacket.

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Boating Program held a poster contest open to all Idaho fourth graders to help spread the “Wear It!” message and the winners were officially announced during Safe Boating Week. One winner from each region was chosen and then out of those three entries, a state winner was determined. The winners, their prizes, and pictures of their posters are listed below.

 East Region State Winner Cameron Harper from Mrs. Baldwin's Rockford Elementary class in Blackfoot

• Prizes received included a life jacket, East Region Winner t-shirt, State Winner t-shirt, and a $50.00 education bond

  South Region:  Kelby Cox from Mrs. Langley's Fruitland Intermediate class in Fruitland

• Prizes received included a life jacket and South Region Winner t-shirt

  North Region:  Maria Munger from Mrs. Schumacher's Prairie Elementary class in Cottonwood

• Prizes received included a life jacket and North Region Winner t-shirt

You can still read the Governor's Proclamation here.

Safety Fair at Lucky Peak

The sun was out, the weather was warm, and everyone who joined us for our Safety Fair at Lucky Peak on May 17 had a blast!  This fair kicked off the 2008 Safe Boating Week (May 17-23) for the Boating Program.  Information and activities were provided for children and adults to help them realize the importance of being safe on the water.

Activities at the Boating Safety Fair included:

• Safe entry and exit of small boats
• The chance to practice saving someone’s life by throwing them either a ring buoy or a safety rope
• Life Jacket relay race
• Free Boat Inspections were conducted by local Marine Deputies
• Free boat safety information was also available for the public

Pictures of the event are coming soon!

Boating Classes

The Boating Education page is continually updated as new classes become available.  Click here to access a list of current classes.

New Ordinance for Big Payette Lake Watershed

A new ordinance for the Big Payette Lake Watershed was passed by Valley County.  Click here to find out more.

Thoughts From An Active Marine Deputy

With all of the snow melting in the higher elevations and running into Idaho's rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, it promises to be an excellent boating season with plenty of water to go around.  What some people don't realize, however, is the quick acting effects of this cold water on those who enter its icy depths unprepared.  Read the following Public Service Announcement by Cassia County Sheriff's Department Dive Rescue Team Member Tim Little to find out more.

“The Tragedy Next Door”
By Tim Little, Cassia County Dive Rescue Recovery Team

Recently I dealt with a tragedy where two young men’s lives were changed forever. What started out to be a warm sunny day on a lake turned out to be a few short minutes of cold, panic, and death, with long-lasting feelings of guilt for a friend.

One of the young men had just purchased a canoe from a person who was not using it. Without any boating experience, the two friends paddled out on the lake to fish. The water was calm and the day sunny and warm. Neither of them had a life jacket on and they were a far distance from shore. As one was handing a fishing pole to the other, the unexpected happened. The canoe capsized and both boys found themselves immersed in the frigid 47degree water. The sudden immersion into this cold water caused immediate, involuntary gasping, hyperventilation, panic, and vertigo. Both boys attempted to swim to shore with only one of them making it.

The tragic reality is that both the surviving boy and the drown boy’s family will miss and mourn him. The life that once was before him will never be experienced, just the emptiness of what would have been. Just as tragic is the self guilt and sorrow the surviving boy is putting himself through. The “What if’s” and “If I had just” will haunt him for some time to come. In an instant, his life had also been changed.

There are no fingers to be pointed here, nor fault or blame. There is, however, a tremendous lesson to be learned through this tragedy. It is simply this: Had the boys been wearing life jackets (PFD’s), the outcome would have been completely different. Would involuntary gasping happen? Yes. Would hyperventilation have happened? Yes. Would panic and vertigo happen? Yes. Would they stay afloat until they both made it to shore? Yes.

When you are involved in water sports, please wear a life jacket. It will save your life.

Life Jacket Loaner Program

Remember everything except the life jackets? Your State Park may have some available for loan! To find out if your favorite State Park has life jackets, all you need to do is ask at the Entrance Station or Visitor’s Center and the friendly park staff would love to help you out!

Learn more from the National Safe Boating Council

Remember—Life Jackets only save lives when worn.