Touch-A-Boat Marine Safety Day in Fort Myers on September 6th

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Aug. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- The Marina at Edison Ford, located off the Caloosahatchee River, is hosting a Touch-A-Boat and Marine Safety Day geared toward children on Saturday, September 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More than 30 local agencies and first responders will be participating in the event by showcasing their boats and demonstrating safety equipment.

The day will be focused on introducing families and children of all ages to boat safety. The first hour will be devoted as a quiet hour for children with disabilities. Participants will be able to cruise with Pure Fort Myers and take photos with the historical “MINA Edison” boat from the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. First responders will teach children safety procedures, while allowing them to try on safety equipment. The event is free and open to the public. In lieu of admission, the organizers are asking for a donation of an unwrapped gift for Toys For Tots of Lee County

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will be offering free admission for children with the purchase of an adult ticket for all its tours that day. Pure Fort Myers is also offering free boat rides for kids with the purchase of an adult fare. There will be child-oriented live music, an aquatic touch tank and additional festivities for the entire family onsite. The Marina at Edison Ford will have burgers, hot dogs and beverages available outside and kids always eat free at Pinchers.

List of confirmed participating local agencies:

Lee County Department of Natural Resources
Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Fort Myers Police Department
United States Navy
United States Coast Guard
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association
Caloosa Coast Rowing Club
J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Iona McGregor Fire Department
Cape Coral Fire Department
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
U.S. Power Squadron
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
Pure Fort Myers
Florida Gulf Coast University
Toys for Tots

The event timeline is as follows:

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Quiet Hour for children with disabilities
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Cape Coral Fire Department will demonstrate the capabilities of the fire hoses onboard the fire boat
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Christening of the M/V Edison Explorer 44’ Corinthian Eco Tour boat
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Mock invasion of The Marina conducted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Waterborne Strike Team
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Iona McGregor Fire Department will conduct demonstrations of various life saving suits
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Open

The following will be available all day:

USS Mohawk display in the Marina ballroom or bar
Law enforcement task force display
FHP rollover/seatbelt simulator
Kids Zone
Photo opportunity with the historic MINA Edison boat all day
Touch tank
Craft tent hosted by J.N. Ding Darling

The Marina at Edison Ford is located at 2360 W. First Street in downtown Fort Myers (or Marker 54 by boat). For more information, visit MarinaEdisonFord.com (http://www.marinaedisonford.com/) or call (239) 245-7320.