2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boat will visit Great Upstate Boat Show March 25-27

Contacts: 

• Dave White, NY Sea Grant, 315-312-3042
  
• Roger Phinney, Eastern NY Marine Trades Association, 518-791-0070

Oswego, NY, March 8, 2011 - Need to know the gear you must have to legally boat on New York waters? Want to know how you can prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species that can damage boats and motors?  Then find the 2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boating exhibit at the March 25-27, 2011 Eastern NY Marine Trades Association Great Upstate Boat Show at the Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury, NY. National Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers information will be available at the exhibit.

Roger Phinney, who manages the boat show for the Eastern NY Marine Trades Association, said, “The 2011 Discover Clean and Safe Boat exhibit with information on clean and safe boating and tips for how boaters can slow the spread of aquatic invasive species will make a great educational addition to this year’s Great Upstate Boat Show. The safe boating emphasis ties in with the series of New York State Safe Boating courses that is being sponsored by the Association.”

The Discover Clean & Safe Boating campaign is a collaboration by New York Sea Grant and Marathon Boat Group, which has donated the use of a 16-foot “made in New York” Grumman Oneida fishing boat and a 12’ 9" aluminum canoe for the 2011 campaign.

Morgan Recreational Supply and Yamaha/Clayton Marina helped equip the boat with the gear required and recommended for clean & safe boating on NY waters.

“We are excited to travel through the Great Lakes region to encourage diverse types of groups and individuals to use easy-to-implement practices to help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species,” says campaign coordinator and New York Sea Grant Coastal Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White.

An invasive species is one not native to the ecosystem of interest and likely to cause harm to the economy, environment or human health in that area. Aquatic invasive species can damage boat engines and steering equipment, reduce native game fish populations, degrade ecosystems, make lakes and rivers unusable by boaters and swimmers, and impact the economies of waterfront communities.

Marathon Boat Group CEO John Jackson says, “Marathon Boat Group is pleased to help people learn how to enjoy New York’s fabulous boating waters by following good practices to protect themselves and the marine environment.”

Marine gear by Taylor Made Products of Gloversville, NY, will be among spin-the-wheel prizes as part of the Discover Clean & Safe Boating exhibit experience at waterfront events this summer. Exhibit visitors will also be able to sign a Clean and Safe Boating Pledge.

For more info on the Discover Clean & Safe Boat, contact Dave White, New York Sea Grant, Oswego, NY, 315-312-3042.

More information on the Great Upstate Boat Show is online at www.greatupstateboatshow.com.

A schedule of the Eastern NY Marine Trades Association NYS Safe Boating courses is online at www.enymta.com.

2011 Great Upstate Boat Show Quick Facts: www.greatupstateboatshow.com

• The Great Upstate Boat Show is held at the Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury, NY.
  
  
• Hours: Fri, March 25, 11am-8pm; Sat, March 26, 9am-7pm; Sun, March 27, 10am-5pm
  
  
• Admission: Adults: $8; Children 11 & younger: free w/parent; Friday is 2 for 1 admission