Hunter puts Safety First and gets Award
Carbon Monoxide Detectors among list of standard safety devices on Hunter sailboats

Posted Thursday, August 10, 2006

 
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Hunter Marine, one of the world’s largest sailboat manufacturers, was awarded a special commendation by the National Water Safety Congress for its initiatives of voluntarily placing carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in the cabins of all its keel boats.

“Putting carbon monoxide detectors in its boats has helped alert and educate the consumer to the danger and risks of carbon monoxide, and we are recognizing Hunter’s efforts to promote safety,” said Cecelia Duer, executive director for the National Water Safety Congress (NWSC).

Hunter Marine has made CO detectors standard equipment for the past five years in its boats 25’ and larger. “Carbon monoxide detectors are a part of our comprehensive effort to provide as much safety equipment as possible on all of our boats,” said Eric Macklin, market development manager for Hunter Marine, who accepted the award on behalf of the company. “We appreciate the recognition of our efforts to make boating safer for everyone.”

Since 2003 when the US Coast Guard began tracking CO as a cause of injury, 58 people have been injured and 10 people have been killed on boats by CO poisoning. It is speculated that many accidents and deaths before then may have actually been caused by CO, but previous were not accurately attributed because of a lack of knowledge regarding the dangers of the odorless and tasteless gas.

“It’s a huge problem, but we’ve come a long way in a short time,” said Duer, citing educational programs by the U.S. Coast Guard and outstanding industry initiatives like that of Hunter Marine.

Hunter Marine’s reputation for safety is well known to the NWSC. “For 15 years we have used Hunter sailboats in our Spirit of America youth education program because we believe Hunter boats are very safe,” Duer said.

Hunter Marine meets or exceeds NMMA and federal requirements for safety features, and in many categories the standard safety equipment included on its models extends well past federal and NMMA required standard safety equipment.

“Our high safety standards reflect genuine concern for our customers’ safety,” said John Peterson, director of sales and marketing for Hunter Marine. “But safety equipment alone is not the final answer for boating safety. The marine industry still needs to support ongoing operator education.”

The National Water Safety Congress is dedicated to promoting water safety in the United States of America. A non-profit organization established in 1951, the National Water Safety Congress membership includes water safety specialists from international, federal, state, and local governments, as well as other private and public water-oriented organizations.