Boaters new to boating in Tampa Bay are being offered free, customized kits under a new educational program developed by the Tampa Bay Manatee Awareness Coalition (MAC).

The “Be A Bay-Friendly Boater” program will provide customized information to boaters new to boating in general, or just new to boating in Tampa Bay. The target audience is boaters with less than two years experience in the Bay. West Marine and Boat U.S. have joined the MAC in supporting this program to provide new boaters with information about boating safety and etiquette, as well as important natural resources such as manatees and seagrasses.

All kits include a discount coupon from West Marine, a “Rules of the Road” boat sticker from Boat U.S., and the Boater’s and Angler’s Guide to Tampa Bay. Additional information will be provided based on the boater’s preferred activities (such as fishing or cruising), and the areas in which they most frequently boat. Boaters will be asked to complete a short survey about their boating patterns and preferences to ensure they are given information tailored to their needs.

The MAC, coordinated by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, is an alliance of scientists, environmental organizations and boating groups working together to promote safe, eco-friendly boating in Tampa Bay. The “Bay-Friendly Boater” campaign targets new boaters specifically to ensure they have vital “need-to-know” information about seagrass beds, manatee protection areas, restricted security zones, nesting bird colonies, recreational fishing limits, and other aspects of boating in Tampa Bay.

To request a kit, e-mail saveit@tbep.org or call Nanette Holland at (727) 893-2765.