Long County Deputies and Public Safety Officials met with Rayonier Advanced Materials Employees to announce the installation of a Life Jacket Loaner Station at the Johnston Landing on the Altamaha River.
Safe Kids Worldwide helped spearhead this project. Carol Irvin is the Wayne County Safe Kids Coalition Coordinator.
Mrs. Irvin applied for and received Public Safety Grants to help fund this initiative. Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization committed to assisting families and communities through Safety Education and Programs which keep kids safe from injuries.
Preventable injuries are the #1 killer of children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year.
Rayonier Plant Manager Clay Betha and Plant Office Manager Kelly Shanklin were thrilled to represent Rayonier’s contribution to the Life Jacket Loaner Station. Rayioner Advanced Materials helped fund the construction costs and installation of the Loaner Station site.
The Life Jackets are in place for the public, but should be returned to the Loaner Station following use.
O.C.G.A. Title 52, Chapter 7 lists the requirements for Boating in Georgia, and Personal Flotation Devices requirements. In summary, when preparing to go out on a boat or a PWC, the operator must check that the legally required equipment is on board.
All vessels must have at least one USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket, called personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board. However, Type V PFDs are acceptable only when worn and securely fastened.
Georgia law requires that all children under 13 years of age wear a USCG–approved PFD while on board any moving vessel. This law does not apply when the child is in a fully enclosed cabin.
In addition to the above requirements, one Type IV USCG–approved PFD must be on board all boats (except vessels less than 16 feet long which includes PWC, canoes, and kayaks) and readily accessible.
One Type V PFD may be substituted for any other type if it is specifically approved by the USCG for the activity at hand. Type V PFDs may not be substituted on children weighing less than 90 pounds.
Each person riding on a PWC must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD that is properly fitted and fastened. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on PWC.
All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and must be readily accessible.
Persons being towed must wear a ski belt; ski jacket; or Type I, II, or III PFD that is properly fitted and fastened.
Source: The Long County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.