ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept 4, 2008 -- The easiest way to ensure a child’s safety on the water is to make sure they wear a life jacket that fits. But children’s growth spurts or last minute changes to the roster of invited guests do not always make that easy. However, your boat club or local waterfront business may be able to help if it works with the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water Life Jacket Loaner Program. .

Since the program began in 1997, three children’s lives have been saved as a result of wearing a BoatUS loaner life jacket, and today over 90,000 life jackets are borrowed – at no cost - for the day or weekend at over 350 clubs and businesses each year. There is no cost to become a loaner site, but applications will only be accepted until Sept. 30, 2008.

“Demand for this program has been up 22% in the last two years because we make it so simple to use,” said BoatUS Foundation Program Manager Alanna Keating. “The loaner life jacket kit consists of 12 jackets of various sizes in a plastic storage tub, with easy-to-use sign-out sheets to help us track usage.  All we ask for in return is that you make the life jackets available to the boating public in a readily accessible but secure location, and periodically let us how the program is going.  Photos of kids wearing the jackets are also appreciated,” added Keating.

Signage for the exterior of the club or business is also included. To download an application to become a Life Jacket Loaner Program site or for more information on the laws in your state, please visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/LJLP

Founded in 1981, the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and research organization primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of the 650,000 members of BoatUS. It excels in providing safe, smart and clean boating resources for boat owners nationwide.