BELTSVILLE, Md. and IRVINE, Calif., May 11, 2001 - Boater's World Marine Centers and boatersworld.com are doing their share to increase overall boater safety through their respective channels. Participating Boater's World retail stores will provide free boat safety checks on June 2, while boatersworld.com will be offering safe boating courses and low prices on safety-related products at the Web site.

Certified examiners will be on hand at selected Boater's World Marine Centers on June 2 to perform Vessel Safety Checks and answer any questions about safe boating and local educational programs. Interested boat owners should call their local Boaters World Marine Center for additional details. The Vessel Safety Check program (VSC) is a joint effort by the U.S. Power Squadrons and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to verify the presence and operable condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. 

Most trailerable boats can be checked in minutes. Upon completion of the inspection, boats that meet the necessary safety requirements will receive a year 2001 Vessel Safety Check decal for display. If specific items are needed, boat owners can bring their VSC evaluation forms to any Boater's World Marine Center to purchase those products at a ten percent (10%) discount. They can also buy safety-related items online through the "Boating Safety Store" at boatersworld.com. In addition to receiving a "low prices guarantee," on everything from life jackets to VHF handheld radios, online shoppers at boatersworld.com pay no sales tax, and shipping is free for orders over $100. 

Boating enthusiasts can also click on www.boatersworld.com to benefit from a variety of online courses designed to increase boater preparedness and awareness. These "cyber- courses" allow users to learn about boating safety on their own schedule and progress at their own pace.

For a free Vessel Safety Check, boaters can bring their trailerable boats to participating Boater's World Marine Centers on June 2, or arrange a VSC appointment for their boats at marinas, boat launches and yacht clubs at a later date. Prior to bringing their boats in to a local Boater's World store, boat owners should call first to make sure the free safety checks are being offered at that particular location.

To obtain more information on the VSC program, or to get a preview of the safety requirements, visit the official Vessel Safety Check Web site at www.national-vsc-day.org. 

About Boater's World Marine Centers
Boater's World Marine Centers, Inc is the nation's second largest boating specialty store chain with more than 100 stores throughout the United States. Every Boater's World store features an enormous selection of marine products and accessories, excellent service and exceptionally low prices. Boaters can also order by phone, fax or mail through the Boater's World catalog, or shop online at boatersworld.com.

About boatersworld.com
boatersworld.com (www.boatersworld.com), a phobo.com interactive site, is the premier online shopping source for boating and marine products. Focusing on providing the consumer with comprehensive support, boatersworld.com offers low prices, world-class customer satisfaction, free shipping on purchases over $100. The site represents the e-commerce business of leading brick-and-mortar marine specialty retailer, Boaters World Marine Centers.