Every person who sets foot on a boat of any kind is encouraged to wear a life jacket, but what if the boat owner doesn't have enough for everyone?
The Peace River Sail and Power Squadron, the local unit of the United States Power Squadron®, maintains 17 life jacket loaner stands at various boat launch ramp locations throughout Charlotte County on a weekly basis, replacing missing, dirty, or damaged jackets. The stations provide only Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Simply use the jacket and return it when you're back on dry land.
The program is part of the Sea Tow Foundation’s nation-wide Life Jacket Loaner Program, an effort to ensure that every person on a boat wears a life jacket. Sea Tow estimates that over 12,000 Coast Guard-approved life jackets have been provided over the last three years.
Peace River Sail and Power Squadron member John Rowland started the civic service in 2016. For more information on the program, contact Capt. Dick Daybell at Captainrdaybell@gmail.com or 714.801.7319.
Safely is always the best way to explore and enjoy our waters.
Life Jacket Loaner Locations in Charlotte County
Ainger Creek Boat Ramp, 2011 Placida Rd., Englewood
Bay Heights Park, 1000 S. McCall Rd., Englewood
Boca Grande Marina, 220 Harbor Dr., Boca Grande
Burnt Store Marina Ramp, 3192 Matecumbe Key Rd., Punta Gorda
Burnt Store Marina Cradle, 3192 Matecumbe Key Rd., Punta Gorda
Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, Inc., 4400 Lister St., Port Charlotte
El Jobean Boat Ramp, 4224 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte
Fishermen’s Village Fuel Dock, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Gasparilla Marina, 15001 Gasparilla Rd., Placida
Harbour Heights Park Boat Ramp, 27420 Voyageur Dr., Punta Gorda
Laishley Park Marina Office, 120 Laishley Ct., Punta Gorda
Placida Park Boat Ramp, 6499 Gasparilla Road, Placida
Ponce Park Boat Ramp, 3400 Pone de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda
Port Charlotte Beach Complex, 4500 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte
Quality Boats Marina, 3340 Placida Rd., Englewood
Spring Lake Park Boat Ramp, 3520 Lakeview Blvd., Port Charlotte
Windmill Village, 215 Rio Villa Dr., Punta Gorda
