In an effort to promote water safety on the Lake of the Ozarks, the Water Safety Council will continue their campaign to encourage boaters to designate a captain.

The organization is bringing waterfront businesses on board by asking them to provide non-alcoholic beverages to designated boat drivers who present floating keychains. “The message that you have on land is to buckle up and designate a driver, we’re taking the same message to the water,” said Trish Creach, executive director of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

Currently about 30 waterfront businesses are participating, but the hope is to have more. Any waterfront businesses that provide non-alcoholic beverages is eligible to participate; this includes marinas and restaurants. Key chains can be found at various boating events and the Missouri Water Patrol is also handing them out to designated captains.

“There are so many people coming to vacation and have fun at the lake, it’s very important that fun includes responsible individuals,” Creach said. “This is a step toward taking responsibility toward safe boating so we can have a lake that is safe and fun for those who enjoy it and live here.”

Source: Lake Sun