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"BAT-PAK" in full display. |
In 2005, Bruce and Stacey Wright conceived the Boating Advisory Trailer Public Awareness Kit "BAT-PAK," and within two years, the dream came true. Funded in part by the Office of Boating Safety, Coast Guard Headquarters, the 24' Wells Cargo trailer took shape.
Two large doors reveal the boating safety display, put together by Bruce and Stacey, building it by hand and adding smart graphics explaining various pieces of equipment and their capabilities.
Initially, the display included a hydraulically operated boat simulator requiring a lanyard attached to a life jacket to operate. It also included a television screen to give realistic on water "feeling". Unfortunately, the hydraulic system proved to be a high maintenance item and that display was retired.
"BAT-PAK" also has a built in bunk room so it can be set up at remote parks without nearby lodging. An on board generator keeps the display humming, and powers computers, cell phones, etc.
The trailer weighs in at 10,000 pounds and is pulled by a GSA leased Ford Dually Crew Cab truck. Wrapped graphics which prominently display the "Wear It" logo, plus other messages such as "Boat Responsibly" and "America's Waterway Watch" cover the trailer.
The Wrights form the 2 person crew and wear tournament shirts, resembling NASCAR drivers, matching white pants and tennis shoes. The display logs about 100 days a year on the road, carrying the boating safety message to a wide variety of events throughout the Seventh CG District. It is designed to fit in a C-130 cargo bay if funds are available to take it to the islands of the Seventh.
Some of the events have included Boat Shows in Atlanta, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Savannah and Charleston, SC. The "BAT-PAK" is on the road during National Safe Boating Week, the July 4 holiday, career days, seafood festivals, antique boat shows, sporting events and at retail outlets featuring boating equipment, such as West Marine stores and Bass Pro shops.
The thrust of the display is to attend events local flotillas are engaged in, supporting them while reaching out to the public.
Annually the display is refined to represent the latest in safety concerns. Most recent are displays on dive safety, paddle sport, flare safety and an interactive Digital Selective Calling panel display to help boaters to gain a better understanding of the system. In addition to adding this to the "BAT-PAK," Bruce has arranged to send a similar display to each District Sector.
Currently, the display features:
The two person BAT-PAK crew can be augmented by local volunteers who have current knowledge of State and Federal Boating Laws and regulations.
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"BAT-PAK" crew - Bruce & Stacey Wright |
Replacing the boat simulator is "Sammy's Den," an interactive children's center located in the aft part of the trailer. "Sammy the Sea Otter" lives here. He is an interactive remote controlled robot character that can speak to children, adults, and converse with them. In addition, there is a full size "Sammy the Sea Otter" costume on board. "Sammy's Den" also features a flat panel 52" monitor for using DVD and interactive gaming consoles. Navigation related Wii games provides kids opportunities to understand navigation buoys and life jacket wear. Other "Sammy" activities include coloring books featuring water safety and soap boat building to understand buoyancy.
The diving display features "Oscar the Dive" mannequin displaying all the latest in dive safety gear, and of course "Jack," the eight foot inflatable life jacket. An external sound system helps at boat show presentations.
The BAT-PAK has been featured in conjunction with Florida Fish and Wildlife's Life Jacket for Life Tour and has logged an average of 17,000 miles annually over the last 4 years. 900,000 people experienced a Venue Impact Awareness (persons who view the various safety messages) by seeing the display last year, over 2.5 million over the last 4 years. A new coloring book will be launched, designed from entries to a contest for school children throughout the District during a Safe Boating Week "BAT-PAK" initiative.
Bruce and Stacey Wright have contributed countless hours and weekends taking this marvelous display around the District. Visitors, young and old learn so much by looking at the displays and talking to the crew. This has been a terrific asset to the boating safety message, and could be copied in your area. If you ever get the chance to see this "BAT-PAK," don't pass it up.
~cc 02-01-12