Navagear tends to focus on recreational mariners, but we've also got a keen interest in professional maritime vessel operations.

That's a fancy way of saying we like big ships.

Anyway, I'm always surprised at how seldom I see PFDs being worn aboard both recreational and commercial vessels. What are these people thinking? Have they ever tried swimming in Puget Sound?

Hold on, here's a professional mariner wearing a PFD. Good going, Captain Rodriguez!

When I was a kid, nobody wore seat belts, but now virtually everybody does. I'm hoping to see a similar trend with PFDs. It helps that PFDs have become a lot more comfortable than they used to be.

Over two years ago, I took my wife down to Fisheries Supply, and she tried on every PFD in the place. She found the Mustang MD3183 automatic inflatable to be most comfortable. Our kids wear the Mustang "Lil Legends" youth PFDs, because I appreciate the extra safety features they include, such as a crotch strap and the flotation collar with grab strap. In short, we're an all-Mustang-equipped family, when it comes to PFDs.

So I don't mind one bit being a "shill" for Mustang, and republishing a Mustang press release with little more than a preamble. I've never received a payment or a free product sample from Mustang, by the way. They're just good folks with a great line of products.

So let's see what they're up to when it comes to targeting the professional market"¦

June 1, 2009 (Bellingham, WA) - Mustang Survival unveiled its "GO PRO, GO MUSTANG" campaign today with a line-up of new products, new pricing and new service targets.

The campaign has been put together in response to shifting market conditions and competitive assessments. GO PRO, GO MUSTANG kicks off a strategic shift for the company to adapt its business operations to better serve the professional market.

"There is an energy surrounding this campaign I've never seen at Mustang before," says company CEO, Bob Askew. "Everyone is working together to produce industry leading products and improve customer satisfaction. As an example, we recently completed an overhaul of our entire manufacturing and supply process that will lead to improved on-time order delivery metrics. It's all really exciting; we're turning a corner here."

The first two products being added to the offering are an Inflatable Work Vest - the first of its kind in the industry - and a neoprene cold water immersion suit.

"The Inflatable Work Vest is about an industry leading company bringing an industry leading product to market," says Askew. "The neoprene immersion suit on the other hand aims to round out our product offering so we can be a full service provider to our dealer network and the professional market. We'll be announcing more of these types of product additions when we release our 2010 programs in a few months."

Also new to the product line are a series of Water Rescue Kits enabling quick action to save lives while protecting the rescuer's life in the process. The kits have already received a great response from law enforcement professionals, who are often first on scene but insufficiently equipped for water rescue. Tactical Side Pouch Inflatable Life Preservers have also been released for the law enforcement community.

"We want to earn the business of new customers, and we want to offer increased support to customers that have remained loyal to us throughout the years," says Askew. "Other suppliers may come and go but Mustang Survival is here to stay and we are committed to serving our customers."

Further information on the GO PRO, GO MUSTANG campaign and its products can be found online at www.mustangsurvival.com/professional.