MANASSAS, Va. (April 5, 2020) – The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) announced the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) Communication Award recipients, an annual celebration of the creative ways boating and water safety advocates are communicating with the public about safety on and in the water.
“We were inspired by all of the innovative and original entries we received from organizations across North America and Japan,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “This year’s award winners have done a remarkable job of developing marketing efforts to promote boating and water safety.”
Recipients were recognized in the Corporate Social Responsibility, Platinum, Giveaway, Digital, Print and Public Service Announcement categories. Each winner will receive a discount code towards their 2021 IBWSS registration.
The 2020 IBWSS Communication Award winners by category include:
- Corporate Social Responsibility: Through real-life survivor stories, ACR Electronics’ Survivor Club recognizes the life-saving importance of boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts using a 406 MHz beacon to greatly improve their chance of survival in an emergency situation.
- Platinum: The Marine Sports Foundation (Maris) offers events, classes, on-water training, free vessel safety checks, and more to advance boating and water safety throughout Japan.
- Giveaway: The Brazos River Authority hosted Lake Granbury Water Safety Awareness Day to promote boating and water safety as a community service to Granbury and Hood Counties, TX, providing free giveaways such as child life jackets, rubber duckies, sun glasses, floating key chains, waterproof cellphone cases, frisbees, and more.
- Digital: The Sea Tow Foundation’ Life Jacket Selfie Giveaway Contest promoted fun boating and life jacket wear during the 2020 Miami Boat Show.
- Print: The Arizona Game & Fish Department’s Boating Safety Education Program developed a brochure with boat ramp tips and alternative launch site locations to prepare paddlers and powerboaters for launching their watercraft.
- Public Service Announcement: Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft placed PSAs in regional publications and at state parks, reaching thousands of local boaters and outdoor enthusiasts with the life-saving safety message to always wear a life jacket while boating.
In addition, four individuals were recognized with an IBWSS Communication Award for Boating Safety Excellence; Lou Ann Best and Chuck Best Jr. with Twiggy’s Inc, Kim Jackson with Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Brian Rehwinkel with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Learn more about the IBWSS Communication Award recipients at www.ibwss.org/communication-award-recipients.
About the National Safe Boating Council
Established in 1958, the NSBC serves as a national catalyst for developing a safe boating culture by providing educational resources, outreach programming, and training opportunities for industry partners and the boating community to influence safe, secure, and responsible boating. www.safeboatingcouncil.org