2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boat joins Sailing Seaway Clayton June 17

Contacts:

• Dave White, NY Sea Grant, P: 315-312-3042, E: dgw9@cornell.edu
  
  
• Michael Folsom, Sailing Seaway Clayton, P: 315-374-5273

Oswego, NY, May 9, 2011 – On Friday, June 17, both 2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boats will join the excitement of the first-ever Sailing Seaway Clayton event in Clayton, NY.
 
For the first time the Discover Clean & Safe Boating educational campaign features two “made in New York” vessels: the 16-foot fishing boat E/V Oneida and the 12-foot 9-inch canoe E/V Ontario II. New York Sea Grant has equipped the two educational exhibit vessels in partnership with the Boating Industries Association of Upstate NY and Marathon Boat Group.
 
Yamaha/Clayton Marina has provided a 50 hp Yamaha engine for the fishing boat: Morgan Recreational Supply and Taylor Made Products have provided the gear required and recommended for clean and safe boating on waters in New York State in both styles of boat.
 
“Due to the popularity of this campaign, the 2011 exhibit includes both a recreational fishing boat and a canoe to provide both motorized and non-motorized boaters the opportunity to learn about clean and safe boating,” says campaign developer New York Sea Grant Coastal Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White.
 
Helping those who enjoy the water learn how to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species is an added focus of the 2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boating campaign. National Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers information is available at the exhibit along with a prize wheel and the opportunity to sign a Clean and Safe Boating Pledge.
 
“This year we are inviting canoers and kayakers to join the diverse mix of groups and individuals who enjoy motorized boating to learn how they can help reduce aquatic invasive species by following easy-to-implement clean boating practices,” White says.
 
Sailing Seaway Clayton is a nearly week-long showcase of vessels that includes the visiting War of 1812 replica tall ship Lynx and the locally-owned, former US Army tugboat Bowditch and landing vessels Maple Grove and Thors Hammer.
 
Sailing Seaway Clayton organizer Michael Folsom says, “We are thrilled to include New York Sea Grant with its clean and safe boating educational exhibit during Sailing Seaway Clayton on Friday, June 17. Those who love the St. Lawrence Seaway should be made aware and acknowledge the work that Sea Grant is doing to keep our precious water and shoreline resources environmentally and economically sound.”

The 2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boats will be at the Sailing Seaway Clayton event only on Friday, June 17 from 11am to 4pm. The event runs from June 14 through June 20.
 
For more information on the 2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boating campaign, contact Dave White, New York Sea Grant (NYSG), Oswego, NY, 315-312-2042; More information on Sailing Seaway Clayton is online at.

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a statewide network of integrated research, education, and extension services promoting the coastal economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources, is currently in its 40th year of “Bringing Science to the Shore.” NYSG, one of 32 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a cooperative program of the State University of New York and Cornell University. The National Sea Grant College Program engages this network of the nation’s top universities in conducting scientific research, education, training, and extension projects designed to foster science-based decisions about the use and conservation of our aquatic resources.