Nationally-noted marine safety writer and former Coast Guard rescue swimmer Mario Vittone on Thursday May 5 from 7pm will present at the Strand Theatre in Rockland as a scholarship fundraiser for Maine Maritime Academy. It’ll be Allen’s first “Safety at Sea Night” and should be a thrilling and empowering mix of rescue stories and survival tips of interest to anyone who works on or around the ocean or who has an affinity for the sea.

Presented by Allen Insurance and Financial as a fundraiser for scholarships at Maine Maritime Academy Mario Vittone presents thrilling stories and exciting tales designed to make life on the water safe and survivable.

Tickets are only $20, and proceeds to benefit scholarships at Maine Maritime Academy. Tickets are available at The Strand Theatre, Rockland either by phone (594-0070) or online: http://rocklandstrand.com/event/you-love-ocean-it-doesnt-love-you-back

Join USCG rescue swimmer and marine safety expert Mario Vittone of Mario Vittone - Maritime Risk Consulting for an evening of stories about survival and rescue at sea in the worst conditions imaginable; about the bravery of both the rescued and the rescuers when all seemed lost; and what he thinks it takes to not just survive but also avoid tragedy at sea.

Vittone is a leading expert on immersion hypothermia, drowning, sea survival, and safety at sea. His writing has appeared in Yachting Magazine, SaltWater Sportsman, MotorBoating Magazine, Lifelines, On-Scene, and Reader’s Digest. He has developed courses for municipal rescue teams and the military on search and rescue tactics and open ocean survival. In 2007, he was named as the Coast Guard Active Duty Enlisted Person of the Year and was named as the 2009 recipient of the Alex Haley Award for Journalism.

Allen Insurance and Financial is pleased to be working with Ocean Navigator Magazine,Professional Mariner Magazine, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors, and the Strand Theatre - Rockland, Maine as partners in this event.