Contacts:

Dave White, New York Sea Grant, P: 315-312-3042; E: dgw9@cornell.edu

Boating Industries Association President Fran D’Agata, P: 315-633-2661

Syracuse, NY, May 14, 2012 – Saturday, May 19 marks the 2012 debut of the “Discover Better Boating” educational series in Upstate New York. Once a month, New York Sea Grant Coastal Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White and boating industry professionals will offer New York’s resident and visiting boaters information and tips to enhance the boating experience on New York’s diverse waters.

The “Discover Better Boating” series will open with a segment on the courtesy vessel examinations with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron.

This educational outreach via television is made possible by a partnership of New York Sea Grant, the Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York (BIA) and the YNN (Your News Now) 24-hour news network that reaches nearly 600,000 cable subscribers across a 25-county, 15,000 square mile area.

The Boating Industries Association of Upstate NY is an association of independent marine dealers, retailers and marine-related businesses located throughout Central New York. Association members provide the public with information and expertise on boats, marine equipment, rules and regulations, safety and the many boating resources to be enjoyed throughout upstate New York.

“Being able to provide boaters with valuable tips and information through these monthly Discover Better Boating segments is a great way to showcase the fabulous boating opportunities that New York has to offer,” Boating Industries Association President Fran D’Agata said.

New York Sea Grant is a statewide network of integrated research, education, and extension services promoting coastal economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources. 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.

After the May 19th segment, the Discover Better Boating segments will run every third Saturday through October.

This outreach effort is part of New York Sea Grant’s award-winning Discover Clean and Safe Boating campaign that features a different type of boating vessel each year. The Discover Clean and Safe Boating educational vessel for 2012 is a 17-foot sailboat provided by The Sailboat Shop of Skaneateles. For more information, visit the website at www.nyseagrant.org/marina.