Coast Guard Auxiliary and Iowa DNR Promote Wearing Your Life Jacket

Auxilarists Wendy Faganel (above) and Phil Patterson (below) paint the yellow base for a "Life Jacket Zone" sign at Big Creek State Park.

(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Suzanne Tomlinson)

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary have partnered in a program to increase public awareness of boating safety. This spring, signs are being painted on all DNR maintained boat ramps reminding boaters that life jackets need to be worn when boating.

The signs declare the ramp to be a "life jacket zone". The first set of Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers, Flotilla 4 of Des Moines, joined Susan and Donise of the Iowa DNR at Big Creek State Park to begin the painting project. After dividing up the paint, templates, food and other essentials, two groups set out to various State Parks. Susan pointed out which parks and where each boat ramp was located in the park.

When painting just the third sign of many, a boater and his son appeared at the ramp for a little fishing. They both donned their jackets and Alex Whitney modeled his for the group. Remember that Iowa's new law is that any child 12 or younger is required to wear a life jacket.

The painting lasted until nightfall, with over 24 ramps being painted today with more to come at a later date.

Susan Stocker of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (left) and Auxilarist Paul Faganel (right) lay the template for the "Life Jacket Zone" sign at Big Creek State Park.

(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Suzanne Tomlinson)

A completed "Life Jacket Zone" sign at Big Creek State Park
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Suzanne Tomlinson)

A painting team finishes a "Life Jacket Zone" sign. Susan Stocker of the Iowa DNR (upper left) with Auxilarists (left to right) Paul Faganel, Wendy Faganel, and Ralph Tomlinson.
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / photo by Suzanne Tomlinson)

Coast Guard Auxiliary Works With Iowa DNR To Promote Life Jacket Safety

This weekend members of Flotilla 4 will hit the road to begin a water safety project with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These Auxilarists and DNR personnel will travel to various state boat ramps throughout Central Iowa to help paint stencils onto the ramps to encourage boaters that they are entering a “life jacket zone.”

"As part of this state-wide project, there are approximately 140 boat ramps located within 45 different state parks. Painting a large 'Life Jacket Zone' sign directly on the ramps will help to remind boaters to protect everyone aboard their boat by wearing life jackets.” says Auxilarist Wendy Faganel, Auxiliary project coordinator.

The project is expected to last over a month and involve several Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas in Iowa.

Auxilarist Jeff Towle shows the stencil for the boat ramp painting project to
members of Flotilla 4.
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / Photo by Doug Jansen)

One of the stencils for the boat ramp painting project with the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources.
(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo / Photo by Doug Jansen)