#Franklin County and @MyFWC partner to save lives through new life jacket program

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Sherriff A.J. “Tony” Smith met with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Major Bill Holcomb, Captain Rachel Bryant, Captain Charlie Wood and Boating Safety Education Coordinator Brian Rehwinkel to receive 300 life jackets for Franklin County’s new life jacket loaner program.

“The FWC and Sheriff Smith have a common goal – protecting the lives of residents and visitors in Florida,” said Maj. Bill Holcolmb, FWC Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “The work they have done here in Franklin County to create a life jacket loaner program will help us achieve that goal.”

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) inmate program, led by Sgt. Herbert Davis, designed and built distribution centers for five boat ramps within Franklin County. The centers will allow boaters who arrive at the boat ramp without the required number of lifejackets to borrow a lifejacket for their time on the water.

All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or PFD for each person.

“We just ask that you use them; if even one life is saved, this program will be worth it,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith. “And to keep it going, please return what you borrow at the end of your trip.”

The life jackets were the result of a generous donation facilitated for FWC by Gail Kulp, Executive Director of Sea Tow, and included infant to adult sizes. The Boating and Waterways team will distribute the remaining life jackets to officers throughout the state to have them on hand while on patrol

“It has been great working on this project with the Sheriff’s Office Care Coordinator, Mr. Bill Williams,” said Brian Rehwinkel, FWC Boating Safety Education Coordinator. “To see it come together like this and to know it will potentially save lives is very rewarding. Captain Bryant and I are looking forward to getting more life jackets in the hands of our officers in the coming weeks.”

According to 2022 FWC boating accident statistics, approximately 64% of the boating deaths were due to drowning. Unexpected events can cause a boater to end up in the water and there will not be time to grab a life jacket beforehand.

The life jackets must be:

• The appropriate size for the intended wearer

• In serviceable condition

• Within easy access

• Anyone operating, riding on, or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved life jacket or PFD. Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for personal watercraft use.

A child under the age of six must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length while the vessel is underway.

For more information about boating safety please visit: https://MyFWC.com/boating/safety and click on “education” followed by “safety-tips.”