The DNR’s Law Enforcement Division is partnering with members of the Indiana Marine Trades Association in a program to loan free lifejackets to children.

The lifejacket program will loan a lifejacket to any child 12 years of age or younger. "The goal of the program is help keep a boater from possibly risking the safety of a young passenger without having the proper size lifejacket, or worse no lifejacket at all," said DNR’s Sergeant Dean Shadley.

Lifejackets will be available at several of the state’s most popular lakes. Boaters can visit one of the participating marinas, where they can pick up one of the three lifejacket sizes available for children. At the end of the boating day, boaters just will return the lifejacket back to the marina.

Participating IMTA members will display a sign recognizing them as a sponsor of the Lifejacket Loaner Program. Boaters are encouraged to use this service as needed, returning the jackets at the end of their boating day. The lifejacket loaner program will begin this weekend and run throughout the boating season.

DNR and IMTA Lifejacket Loaner Partners

Patona Bay Boat Service
Lake Tippecanoe
Kosciusko County

Main Channel Marina
Lake Wawasee
Kosciusko County

Griffith’s Marina
Lake Wawasee
Kosciusko County

Culver Marina
Lake Maxinkuckee
Marshall County

Casey’s Cove Marina
Crooked Lake
Steuben County

Lake Pleasant Marina
Lake Pleasant
Steuben County

The Boat House
Lake James
Steuben County

Clear Lake Marina
Clear Lake
Steuben County

B & E Marine
Lake Michigan
Porter County

Four Winds Marina
Lake Monroe
Monroe County