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DCDR Ken Kendall (left) and Bill Clanton, of WBNJ-FM, prepare a PSA |
In an effort to promote National Safe Boating Week; Division 7 of Southern Ocean County, New Jersey, held a public service announcement (PSA) recording session prior to their May monthly division meeting.
In the last several years the New Jersey boating accident and fatality statistics have increased, rather than following the national downward trend. This caused Division 7 and its flotillas to look beyond the traditional Auxiliary programs and seek a wider approach to raising public awareness about safe boating.
Division Public Affairs Staff Officer Al Revy, with the cooperation of Mr. William (Bill) Clanton, Sr. of local FM radio station WBNJ; requested division and flotilla officers to pick a safe boating subject, then write and record PSA at the session.
TWBNJ-FM arranged to schedule the PSAs, not only during the regular NSBW campaign; but throughout the entire Jersey Shore boating season. Mr. Clanton also volunteered to present the finished PSAs to several other local radio stations he is associated with, and offered the division an electronic copy of the evening to offer to other radio stations.
The PSA idea grew from a suggestion by Bill Clanton at a breakfast meeting in January of this year; where several ideas to promote boating safety were exchanged. The PSA scheme appeared to hold the most immediate potential.
While the PSA idea was popular, it posed a logistic and scheduling predicament in trying to involve as many flotillas as possible, then gathering everyone together at the same time and place.
While the PSA idea was popular, it posed a logistic and scheduling predicament in trying to involve as many flotillas as possible, then gathering everyone together at the same time and place.
On Friday, May 4th, Mr. Clanton set up his portable recording equipment at the rear of the meeting hall and set to promoting safe boating. The complete session took less than an hour and, as the contributors pointed out, was pretty painless.
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FC-74 Mike Alexander and FC-72 Bob Adams rehearse their messages VCDR Maurice Kiely records BUI message Safety” class. |
During the recording session, Bill Clanton remarked about the astonishing similarity between the WBNJ-FM broadcast area and the Division 7 Southern Ocean County Area of Responsibility.
Division 7 Commander Ken Kendall recorded a 60 second PSA on the public education classes available throughout the division area of responsibility, later Vice Division Commander Maurice Kiely recorded a 60 second PSA on "Boating Under the Influence" and the upcoming “Operation Dry Water.”
Flotilla 72 Commander Bob Adams recorded a 60 second announcement on the reasons to wear a properly fitted life jacket; while Flotilla 74 Commander Mike Alexander prepared a 60 second PSA on "Boating Responsibly".
The session concluded with Chief Warrant Officer Jay Greiner, USCG, Commanding Office at Station Barnegat Light, recording an interview which will appear on the WBNJ-FM "Spotlight" segment.
During the interview, Mr. Greiner touched on subject matter such as responsible boating and the role of the Coast Guard. He extended an invitation to visit Station Barnegat Light, the need to always wear a life jacket, and a plug about the annual August Coast Guard/Auxiliary open house at the station. He further expressed the close relationship between the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary.
After the PSA session had concluded, Bill Clanton spoke with several members and agreed to work with Flotilla 79 on a PSA regarding their work in promoting the "Kids Don't Float" program and to assist Flotilla 72 promote their "Ready, Set, Wear It" life jacket wearing world record event, scheduled for May 19th.
~gja 05/12/12