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PINTLALA,
Alabama – Ray Scott is known as the “Bass Boss”, the founder of the
world’s largest bass fishing organization, but boating safety and saving
lives may be his legacy.
The
National Safe Boating Council has honored Scott of Pintlala,
Alabama
as a 2002 inductee into the Boating Safety Hall of Fame.
“This
distinction honors individuals who have shown exemplary leadership and
performed outstanding service on behalf of safer boating,” said Virgil
Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council.
Scott
as founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) and the
professional fishing Bassmaster Tournament Trail early on became a guiding
influence in boating safety, requiring competitors to wear a Coast Guard
approved lifejacket and worked with marine manufacturers to install
ignition cut-off devices for outboards and improving upright flotation in
bass boats.
“Scott’s
leadership in implementing these practices has resulted in lives saved on
the water,” said Chambers, who presented Scott as the 17th
inductee into the Boating Safety Hall of Fame.
“Those
inducted into the Boating Safety Hall of Fame are true leaders in boating
safety,” emphasized Chambers, who praised Scott for his work on the U.S.
Coast Guard Boating Safety Advisory Council where he lobbied for safety
reforms, such a positive upright and level flotation in boats.
“Boat
Smart From the Start. Wear
Your Life Jacket” is the theme of the North American Safe Boating
Campaign for 2002. “As a
well recognized leader in fishing Ray Scott volunteered his talent and
time to produce a public service announcement for the campaign that will
save more lives,” declared Chambers.
The public service announcement began airing on television stations
this month.
“This
is a powerful message sent by a leader of the fishing and boating
community,” pointed out Chambers.
The
National Safe Boating Council, headquartered in
Delaware
,
Ohio
, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance safe and
enjoyable recreational boating.
Along
with Ray Scott being honored as a 2002 inductee is William Selden, past
Chief Commander of the U. S. Power Squadrons and current Chair of the
National Safe Boating Council.
They
join the ranks of such previous honored safe boating leaders as Senator
John Breaux, former Senator Malcolm Wallop and Richard Schwartz, founder
of Boat
U.S.
Scott
in 1979 received a Public Service Commendation from the U. S. Coast Guard
for furthering safe boating. In
1986, the Ole Evinrude Award signaled out Ray Scott’s contributions to
recreational boating. Field
& Stream Magazine named Scott as one of the twenty persons who did the
most to influence the outdoor sports in the past century.
And, Outdoor Life’s “Ten Keepers” in 1998 proclaimed
Scott’s formation of B.A.S.S. as one of the top fishing innovations.
Fittingly,
Scott was the first inductee into the new Professional Bass Fishing Hall
of Fame last year. The Pro
Fishing Hall is headquartered in
Hot Springs
,
Arkansas
. Scott, also, was honored in
2001 being nominated for the Horatio Alger Award for Distinguished
Americans.
Ray
Scott Outdoors, Inc. is a marketing and consulting group for the marine
and fishing tackle industry. Scott,
currently, serves as national spokesman for S.O.S., Inc., the manufacturer
of the Coast Guard approved inflatable lifevest (SOSPENDERS) U. S.
Reel of
St. Louis
,
MO
, the maker of Ray Scott’s SuperCaster 225 spinning reel and Sweeney
Enterprises, Inc., the oldest manufacturer of wildlife feeders and
automated nutritional feeding systems for fish and game.
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