California

Wear It California Pilot Program
Northern California, as a pilot program, began the “Wear It California” three years ago. At that time the average wear rate in open motor boats was 6% for past 10 years, similar to the rest of the country. After three years of the campaign, life jacket wear rate was increased to 15% in 2009.

First Year – Educate about inflatable life jackets (pledge cards with a free inflatable life jacket); distributed 675; over 100,000 people were exposed in various campaigns; 8.7 million impressions with radio/TV/movie ads. Survey at end of campaign: Increase from 18% in 2008 to 40% in 2009. This is a 122% increase in one year.

Resources

 * U.S. Coast Guard District
 * U.S. Coast Guard Sector
 * U.S. Coast Guard Sector
 * U.S. Coast Guard Sector
 * Local Notice to Mariners
 * U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District
 * U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District
 * State Boating Agency
 * State Boating Course
 * State Boating Laws from NASBLA
 * State Education Requirements from BoatUS Foundation
 * Boating Courseline from BoatUS Foundation
 * Marine forecasts from the National Weather Service
 * Online navigation charts from NOAA and Google
 * Sea Scout Ships (units) from Sea Scouts BSA