2011 Discover Clean & Safe Boat visits 1000 Islands-Clayton Spring Boat Show April 8-10

Contacts:  Dave White, NY Sea Grant, 315-312-3042

Oswego, NY, March 11, 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 April 8-10, 2011 Boat Show at the 1000 Islands-Clayton Spring Boat Show at Cerow Recreation Park Arena in Clayton, NY.

“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 1000 Islands-Clayton Spring Boat Show,” said show manager Christopher Bogenschutz, “and the safe boating emphasis ties in with the Boater and Personal Watercraft Safety course offered at the show on Saturday.”

The Discover Clean & Safe Boating campaign is a collaboration of New York Sea Grant, the Boating Industries Association of Upstate NY, 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.

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.”

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

National Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers information will be available at the exhibit.

“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.

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, contact Dave White, New York Sea Grant, Oswego, NY, 315-312-3042. More information on the 1000 Islands-Clayton Spring Boat Show is online at www.1000islands-clayton.com/boatshow.

2011 Clayton Boat Show Quick Facts: www.greatupstateboatshow.com

• The Clayton Boat Show is held at the Cerow Recreation Arena Park, Clayton, NY.
  
  
• Hours: Fri, April 8, 3-9pm; Sat, April 9, 10am-8pm; Sun, April 10, 10am-5pm
  
  
• Admission: Adults: $4; Children $2, ages 8 & younger: free w/parent