A new amenity has been installed at the Sudden Valley Marina. A life jacket (Personal Flotation Device or PFD) loaner kiosk, a joint effort of the Sudden Valley Safety Committee, WA State Parks, and Boy Scout Troop 4019 member Jack Anderson’s Eagle Scout Project is now installed.

The kiosk allows water craft users at the Marina to borrow a PFD, at no charge, for their outings on the water and then return them. Whatcom County waters, including Lake Whatcom, are classified as Cold Water; and State Law requires all boaters (including Stand Up Paddle Boarders) to have a PFD when on the water; and children under 13 must wear them. The Whatcom County Sheriff will cite those not having a PFD when on the lake. 

Cold Water Shock is the most dangerous consequence of sudden immersion and can incapacitate in seconds. Wearing a properly fitted PFD will keep you afloat, while not wearing it could, and does, result in drowning. Even though surface waters are deceptively warm at this time of year, cold water lurks below and easily is brought to the surface in choppy conditions. No one wants their family or friends to go through the trauma of losing someone when wearing the PFD is such an easy, and now free, bit of insurance.

Residents who own PFDs they no longer need are encouraged to donate them to the Recreation Department, where they will be inspected and added to the loaner program if still serviceable.