As warmer weather settles in, boats, kayaks, and canoes are hitting area lakes. Enjoy, but be safe! According to the U.S. Coast Guard, approximately 85%–90% of drowning victims in recreational boating or other watercraft accidents were not wearing a life jacket, making it the primary cause of fatalities.
Piedmont Columbus Regional, Safe Kids Columbus, River Safety Committee, and sponsors, including Academy Sports, Georgia Power, and the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, are offering seven life jacket loaner stations for this year’s boating and water recreation season.
The stations are available at these locations:
- Lake Oliver Marina— 5501 River Road, Columbus, Ga.
- Goat Rock Lake Marina— Peggy Lane Boat Ramp in Fortson, Ga.
- Po Boys Landing— County Road 334, Salem, Ala.
- Long Bridge Boat Ramp— County Road 379 Salem, Ala. (Near Backwaters Marina)
- Valley Park Recreation Area/Boat Ramp— Off County Road 369, Valley, Ala.
- Idle Hour Boat Ramp— Off Mountain Drive in Hamilton, Ga.
- Blanton Creek Campground— 6111 Lick Skillet Road in Hamilton, Ga.
Life jackets at these stations may be borrowed for the day and returned at no cost. Loaner stations aim to have sizes from infant to Adult XL and are monitored and restocked, while supplies last, by volunteers from community partners throughout the season.
Each person who borrows a life jacket is obligated to inspect the life jacket before using it and return it clean and in good working order for the next user. Life jackets are not inspected or maintained after each use and are borrowed at your own risk.
Safe Kids Columbus, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, accepts monetary donations for the purchase of new life jackets by going to safekidscolumbusga.org and clicking the donate tab.
This is an opportunity to enjoy the coming months on the water and avoid becoming a statistic.
