TPWD News Release
Media Contact: Aaron Reed, (512) 389-8046, aaron.reed@tpwd.state.tx.us

AUSTIN, Texas — While boating fatalities dropped nationwide in 2007, they climbed in Texas — despite one of the wettest summers on record that closed many lakes and reservoirs for a portion of the boating season.

Texas had 52 boating fatalities in 2007, the highest number since 2002. The overall number of accidents (260) and injuries (181) were up, too, from 2006.

Most of those tragedies were preventable, authorities say, since on average 85 percent of boating fatality drowning victims who drowned were not wearing a life jacket when recovered, and more than 50% of boating and water related fatalities involved alcohol.

With those sobering facts in mind, and the summer boating season gearing up, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and its partners are kicking-off the second year of a public education and water safety initiative.

"Nobody’s Waterproof™" is a fun, interactive social marketing campaign targeting 18-to-34-year-old boaters, especially young men, whom statistics show are most at risk. It is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The campaign was developed in 2006 by the LCRA and EnviroMedia Social Marketing, Inc. and has won state, regional and national awards over the last two years. For the second year, through an agreement with LCRA, TPWD is working to expand the initiative outside the Colorado River watershed to other Texas waterways.

"Texas Parks and Wildlife sees this as a chance to really take the message to the people on the water, with fun activities and educational items that will continue to remind boaters and swimmers that "Nobody’s Waterproof — Play it Safe," said Brandi Bradford, TPWD boater education coordinator. "We’ll be continuing this education effort on Texas waters this summer, with a great boat and a fun, engaging outreach team who will be handing out safety items and information at some of the most popular party locations around the state. Look for us on the water and shoreline at a lake, river, or bay near you!"

The "Nobody’s Waterproof" outreach boat, donated to TPWD by the Britteny Sage Lindt Fund, will be out for special events on Lake Joe Pool and Lake Lewisville near Dallas, Clear Lake and Lake Conroe near Houston, Canyon Lake near San Antonio, and Lake Travis near Austin. Some events will feature shoreline activities co-hosted by partners, including LCRA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Texas Water Safety Coalition, North Texas Water Safety Coalition, Galveston Bay Association, and others.

Nobody’s Waterproof outreach events will emphasize these safety messages:

• Always wear a life jacket in the water and on a boat.
• Alcohol and water don’t mix. Be responsible if you drink and designate a sober driver for both your boat and a safe ride home.
• Always swim with a friend and ask friends and family to watch each other.
• Take a boater education course, either online or in person.
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated — especially if you are also drink­ing alcohol.
• Follow boating and water safety rules and obey signs, markers and buoys.
• Have a VHF-FM marine radio or cell phone, GPS or map, proper safety equipment, and appropriate clothing on board or with you on the water.
• Know where you are on the water or shoreline.

"If boaters remember nothing else while they’re playing on Texas waters this summer, we hope they’ll remember "Nobody’s Waterproof — Play it Safe!" Bradford said. "Wear a lifejacket — they even come in smaller, inflatable models that won’t ruin your tan or be hot and uncomfortable. If you’re going to drink, do so responsibly and designate a driver for your boat and the ride home. "Boat with class. Boating safety courses are available online and in person through the TPWD Web site. Pay attention to your party. Keep an eye on family and friends while on the water or enjoying the shoreline, and make sure everyone gets home safely."

In addition to the campaign, TPWD game wardens are preparing to enforce boating laws and provide proactive safety guidance, working with lake rangers, sheriff’s deputies, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, regional water safety coalitions, and many other local boating enforcement agencies and public interest groups.

TPWD and local partners will also be hosting news media announcements and opportunities for news crews to ride with game wardens and local officers on patrol at high-profile lakes near major metropolitan areas.

On the Net:

http://www.NobodysWaterproof.com
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/safety/
http://www.lcra.org/water/recreation/html

Nobody’s Waterproof™" is a fun, interactive social marketing campaign targeting 18-to-34-year-old boaters, especially young men, whom statistics show are most at risk. It is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The campaign was developed in 2006 by the LCRA and EnviroMedia Social Marketing, Inc. and has won state, regional and national awards over the last two years. For the second year, through an agreement with LCRA, TPWD is working to expand the initiative outside the Colorado River watershed to other Texas waterways.

No Ones Waterproof +1

SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY CLASS,ARE OLDER BOATERS ALLOWED TO ATTEND,OR JUST THOSE WITHIN THE AGE RANGE THEY ARE TARGETING?

Looking for someone that could do a interview on "Nobodys Waterproof" for 570 KLIF's "Lets Go Outdoors Texas" we also will run PSA's

So very true. Had a person drown on Lake Buchanan this weekend. Sinceless drowning.

I had two lifetime friends drown last summer.
One jumped in, never came up.
One ran aground at night.
You GOT TO BE CAREFUL...

Having held a three year old little girl in my lap while holding her insides together with my hand and looking at half her face missing I can tell you first hand that water safety is no joke and NOBODY is WATERPROOF.And yes,there were no life jackets being worn by her or the other thirteen year old whos body I uncovered on the floor of the wreckage of the boat she was in with her brains hanging out when a bass boat broadsided the boat they were in.I had to pull the scalp back over the three year olds mother and use some sweat pants to keep her from bleeding to death.All this happened while my 7 and 8 year old boys were watching in horror from the back deck of my boat.And yes, there was alchohol involved. The men in the boat who broadsided the other boat began to throw empty beer bottles overboard as soon as they realized what they had just done.They were not paying attention and were drinking heavily when this occurred. I wish everyone had to watch a film of this kind of thing before they were able to drive a boat. The water is far less forgiving in an accident than dry land.To this day the sight and sounds of that day haunt me and that was 20 years ago.