Super Boat Press Release: “Wear It” Campaign

Key West, Florida- February 8, 2012 In an effort to promote safe boating, John Carbonell, President of SBI and Lee Stanford, President of Leland, have teamed together to outfit all SBI officials and on-the-water course staff with limited edition custom embroidered PFD’s.

“This move towards mandatory PFD wear during the set up and running of our events not only makes our folks safer but it sends a powerful visual message to all our fans and the racing community that wearing a PFD while on the water saves lives.” Carbonell explained. “When Lee came to me with these inflatable PFD’s, I had no idea how comfortable and easy to use they were. He put one on me at the 2011 NYC SBI race and I forgot I had it on; that’s how far these have advanced.”

Inflatable PFD’s have advanced and their costs have stabilized now that they have been in production since 1997 when the USCG issued rulemaking allowing them to meet the carriage requirements. Since then, the USCG reports that significant efforts have been made to promote the wearing of PFD’s while on the water by partnering with the National Safe Boating Council, industry and dozens of dedicated organizations.

The “Wear It” campaign has been well promoted across the nation and is often seen at boat shows and SBI race sites. The USCG District 7 Safety Coordinators in Florida have put many miles on their trailer to educate and demonstrate PFD’s. In the majority of recreational boating drowning’s the victims were not wearing a PFD.

“I am a power boater and SBI race fan and since SBI is the premier racing organization this presents a significant opportunity to put inflatable PFD’s on all the SBI personnel involved. Our company is proud to be a part of this growing sport while promoting safety” says Lee Stanford. “These inflatables offer the user great in the water performance; there are manual and auto inflate models to choose from depending on your activities.” The next SBI race is scheduled for Jacksonville, Florida April 13 to 15.

More information about SBI is available at www.SuperBoat.com and for Leland www.MaximumInflation.com.

Bio and contact information:
John Carbonell is a lifelong resident of Key West and President of Super Boat International Productions Inc. Founded by Carbonell in 1989, Super Boat International races are scheduled to take place in 7 markets across the country in 2012. With more than 35 years’ experience as a powerboat events promoter in addition to 10 years’ experience racing powerboats, Carbonell uses his hands-on knowledge to attract some of the most competitive racing teams in the world.

Super Boat International is the only official national and international sanctioning body for offshore powerboat racing in the world. The series has attracted many celebrity racers over the years, including Don Johnson, Kurt Russell, Chuck Norris, Bruce Jenner and Jason Priestley. With an estimated 20 million race fans attending Super Boat International races and a significant increase in membership and attendance over the past three years, Super Boat International is poised for future success.

The rectangular racecourses average six miles in length, and the aptly named offshore boats power through the waves at speeds up to 200 mph. The action-packed races have attracted a large fan base, and super boats have even been highlighted in big-screen productions such as the 2006 hit, “Miami Vice,” starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell.

Also featured on NASCAR’s “Countdown to Green,” “The Today Show” and in Forbes magazine, the Superboats continue to attract new fans and keep loyal fans coming back for more. superboatracing@gmail.com

Leland ‘Lee’ Stanford is a lifelong resident of New Jersey with a second home in Key West. He is an avid boater and a member of the United States Marine Safety Association, Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association, the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department and the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee. He is President and CEO of Leland Limited, Inc. His company primarily makes CO2 cartridges and related gas handling equipment for the Marine, Medical, Beverage and Aerospace industries.

As a boating safety advocate, he has worked with many organizations and now SBI, to bring awareness and education to many marine industry stakeholders and all those who are on the water. Lee@LelandGas.com