National Safe Boating Week

National Safe Boating Week begins the week before Labor Day.

National Safe Boating Week comes around every year, and is generally held the week prior to Memorial Day. The timing of National Safe Boating Week is not an accident, as the vast majority of boating accidents take place during Memorial Day Weekend.

While it can be a fun to spend the weekend on the water, there are numerous things to which you need to pay attention. Boater education is the entire goal of this campaign, and we urge you to share this article with friends and family on social media.

Boating accident statistics.

Boating accidents happen frequently, and avid swimmers aren't exempt to the tragedy that’s connected to these unfortunate events. Strong water currents and injuries may lead to drowning. The statistics say it all: according to the U.S Coast Guard's recreational boating statistics, close to 71 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Out of these, 84 percent of the victims didn't have a life jacket on.

Wear a life jacket - always.

Whether you’re spending a leisurely day out on a calm lake or you’re water skiing behind a speed boat, you need to always wear a life jacket. They will save your life in the event of a sudden accident. They also keep you dry and warm if you’re navigating through rough, cold waters.

Don’t drink and operate a boat.

Boating while intoxicated may lead to serious and sometimes fatal accidents. Most people believe that the rules of driving while intoxicated only apply to people on the road. This is wrong. You need attention and focus just as much as individuals on the road. If you must drink, please have a designated sober boat operator.

Get a vessel check.

Getting a vessel check can also go a long way in ensuring that you’re safe on the waters. Many accidents happen because of a faulty part which gave way in the middle of a fun day out. Most of the time, people who find themselves in such situations do not have the needed spare parts, rendering them stranded in the middle of a large body of water or leading to a serious event such as a boat capsizing.
National Safe Boating Week should serve as a reminder to all of us to keep ourselves, our friends and our families safe. By sharing this article with your friends, you’ll be doing your part in ensuring that people are conscious of important boating safety issues this Memorial Day weekend.