U.S. Army Corps of Engineers promotes water safety during Daytona race week

Published Feb. 29, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2012) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) National Water Safety Team and their mascot, Bobber the Water Safety Dog, teamed up with race drivers to promote water safety in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 24.

 

“Water safety is an extremely important mission for us,” said Lt. Col. Michael Kinard, deputy district commander for south Florida. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the nation’s leading provider of outdoor recreation with over 420 lake and river projects in 43 states and nearly 370 million visitors per year.”

 

The water safety team provided information to more than 1,500 racing enthusiasts during the event. Kinard and Bobber the Water Safety Dog took the stage with NASCAR RV Camping World Truck Series drivers Ricky Moxley and Johnny Chapman to present the autographed hood of the Number 07 Wear Your Gear Bobber.info truck at the event’s charity auction. The message on the shiny black hood was clear: “Wear Your Gear.” The hood decal features Bobber the Water Safety Dog wearing a safety orange life jacket and includes his website, www.Bobber.info.

 

“We have been running the “Wear Your Gear” water safety logo on the hood of the truck for the last year, and have been getting a lot of positive responses,” said Moxley. “We’re honored to be part of a program to raise awareness about water safety.”

 

“As driver of the 07 Craftsman truck, I wear my safety gear when I am racing,” said Chapman. ”Bobber the Water Safety Dog would like you to wear your safety gear when you are around water — that’s your life jacket.”

 

“We want to remind boaters to always wear their gear,” said Adam Tarplee, USACE natural resource program manager. “Most people who drown never had any intention of being in the water, so we encourage boaters to expect the unexpected and always wear a lifejacket. One-third of all freshwater fishing in the U.S. occurs on Corps’ rivers and lakes, and we want everyone to be safe while they are having fun on the water.”

 


Contact
Erica Robbins
561-472-8893
erica.a.robbins@usace.army.mil

Release no. 12-020