Program loans life jackets for free
Available at the new Life Jacket Loaner Boards at the Campion and Marina Boat Landings in Prairie du Chien are multiple life jackets, in various sizes from infant to adult XL, as well as a few throwable devices. They are available for public use. Pictured are Ron Leys (left), a member of the Prairie du Chien Common Council and Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board, and Mike Ulrich, Prairie du Chien parks and recreation director. (Photo by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
You may have seen the new Life Jacket Loaner Boards erected at the Campion and Marina Boat Landings in Prairie du Chien. Inside each box are multiple life jackets, in various sizes from infant to adult XL, as well as a few throwable devices. They are available for free public use by citizens and groups to perpetuate safer boating practices on the river and to reduce boating-related fatalities.
The Department of Natural Resources and the city of Prairie du Chien have partnered up to offer the two stations within the community. The process began last fall when Ron Leys, a member of the Prairie du Chien Common Council and Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board, heard about the Life Jacket Loaner Board project at a meeting.
“The idea came from Alaska,” Leys said. “A Wisconsin DNR representative was at a meeting there and he brought the idea back to Wisconsin.”
According to the DNR, Alaska has 600 of these stations. The Wisconsin model began in 2012 with 12 stations; now the state has them at 99 of its boat landings. Another 10 to 15 are being installed each year across Wisconsin.
“We’re very lucky to be able to get two in one year,” Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation Director Mike Ulrich said. “The city appreciates this partnership with the DNR and hopes people use these life jackets to be safe while they’re enjoying our wonderful recreational opportunities on the river.”
The cost of each loaner board unit, including the life jackets, is about $500, Ulrich added. City public works personnel Dirk Steiner and Rich Stovey constructed the two stations with some materials provided by the DNR and others that the DNR will reimburse. The city chose the locations of each and the DNR approved them.
Each unit contains the following sizes of life jackets: three infant, eight child, eight youth, five adult, five adult XL and four type IV/throwable devices.
The public is encouraged to use the free loaner life jackets on the honor system and with care. After use, they should be returned to the station where they were taken. They should also be hung to dry on the hooks alongside the loaning station following each use. With questions, contact parks and rec at 326-7207.
“We hope they save a lot of lives,” Leys stated.
