The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit is kicking off National Safe Boating Week with the debut of its new child life jacket program.
- Hillsborough debuts Operation Safe Bay program
- Program provides free loaner life jackets for kids
- Boaters to borrow life jackets using honor system
The Program, dubbed Operation Safe Bay, providers free loaner life jackets for kids at three Hillsborough County boat ramps.
"We have found that a lot of people have adequate number of life jackets on board for the adults, but then you show up, you bring a child and they don’t have an appropriate life jacket to fit the child,” Deputy Paul Shute said.
Florida State Statute also requires all children six-years-old and younger must actively wear a life jacket when on a boat under 26 feet in length.
HCSO partnered with Port Tampa Bay and West Marine Pro, who together, provided 100 life jackets that will be stocked at the Gandy Boat Ramp, Williams Park Boat Ramp in Riverview and Simmons Boat Ramp in Ruskin.
"I think it’s an amazing program because kids really need to be safe in the water,” mom Gina Corr said. "Anything can happen in the water."
Boaters will utilize an honor system to borrow life jackets to ensure the safety of each child. Once the boater returns to the ramp, the boater can return the vest for the next user. The life jackets will be available in two sizes "under 50 lbs" and "50lbs to 90 lbs."
If the members of the public have an interest to donate life jackets, they can contact HCSO Marine Unit at 813-242-5591, who will redistribute the additional life vest as needed to the public boat ramps.