RUDY BOESCH PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL TO ENCOURAGE A "SURVIVOR'S" ATTITUDE AMONG RECREATIONAL BOATERS

Washington, D.C (14 April 2006) - The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) is pleased to announce that Navy SEAL, decorated war veteran, and reality television star Rudy Boesch will serve as spokesperson for the 2006 North American Safe Boating Campaign-a public awareness initiative that promotes life jacket wear among recreational boaters.

Mr. Boesch will help launch the campaign during National Safe Boating Week (NSBW), May 20-26. This year, NSBW will serve as the kick-off for a nationwide promotion designed to solicit testimonials from recreational boaters about how the life jacket has helped them be "survivors" on the water. Winning entries will be included in the NSBC's annual publication, Saved By the Jacket.

"The NSBC is thrilled that Rudy has joined our campaign this year," said Virgil Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council. "With Rudy on board, the Safe Boating Campaign will take on a new dimension of excitement and an unprecedented level of visibility."

Promotional efforts featuring Mr. Boesch include television public service announcements and a multi-city radio tour. Timed just before the hectic Memorial Day weekend and the start of the summer boating season, NSBW highlights the fact that life jackets prevent tragedy, a fact supported by the latest U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicating that 90 percent of boaters who drowned in 2004 were not wearing them.

The North American Safe Boating Campaign began in 1957 as a targeted grassroots outreach effort and has blossomed throughout the years into a large scale, international campaign. Through partnerships with other organizations and the production and distribution of a variety of safe boating resources and information, the Safe Boating Campaign aims to reach the approximately 77 million recreational boaters who take to the waterways each year. In partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard's "You're in Command. Boat Responsibly!" initiative, the Safe Boating Campaign reflects a concentrated effort to encourage life jacket wear, sober recreational boating, proper vessel maintenance, and recreational boater education.

For more about the National Safe Boating Council or the North American Safe Boating Campaign, visit www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

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Contacts:
Joseph Alger, Media Specialist: (703) 823.1600
Vanessa French, Media Specialist (703) 823.1600