“Wear It!” National Safe Boating Week May 21– 27, 2022

As the weather becomes warmer, individuals are planning their summer outdoor activities;
for some that includes recreational boating. In the U.S., over 100 million Americans participate
in some type of recreational boating. According to the U.S. Coast Guard 2020 Recreational
Boating Statistics, there were 5,265 reported accidents that involved 767 deaths, 3,191 injuries and approximately $62.5 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. Compared to the previous year (2019), the number of recreational boating accidents, deaths, and injuries increased. Although 2 out of 3 victims were good swimmers, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.

Reports indicate that 77% of deaths, that occurred on boats, operators had not received boating
safety instruction; while 12% of deaths that occurred on vessels, operators had received
nationally approved boating safety education. One major concern in recreational boating is
alcohol use; it is the leading contributing factor resulting in 18% of deaths in which the
primary cause was known. “No matter the type of boat or boating activity you choose,” states,
Prince William County Fire & Rescue System Chief Tim Keen, “take the necessary precautions to reduce risks and stay safe.”

National Safe Boating Week is May 21st – 27th. This annual campaign, “Wear It!” promotes safe and responsible boating including consistent wearing of a life jacket when you are on a boat or any watercraft/water transportation. “Wear It!” is a reminder, when on the water, unexpected situations can occur and escalate. Wearing a life jacket will not only provide you peace of mind in controlling an emergency situation but can also save your life. According to the American Red Cross, most drownings occur in inland waters, within a few feet of safety.

Most of the victims had access to a life jacket but did not have it on. Fire and Rescue System
Chief Tim Keen advises parents/caregivers, “When participating in recreational boating,
protect yourself and your loved ones by wearing a lifejacket; be consistent, be a role model for others, especially young children, and ‘Wear It!’”

Boating Safety Tips

• Wear a life jacket.
  • Make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved, appropriate for your water activity and fits properly. Life jackets save lives.
• Know state boating laws.
  • Rules and laws can differ from state to state and violations can result in ticketing, fines, or jail time.
• Take a boating safety course.
  • Learn valuable tips that can help save your life in unexpected situations by taking a NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) approved boating safety course.
• Make sure your boat is prepared.
  • There are many items that need to be checked and rechecked on any boat. Schedule a Vessel Safety Check with your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons before hitting the water.
• Be sure to know your boat’s capacity.
  • If you have too much on your boat, the boat may become unstable and capsize.
• Check the weather, including the water temperature. (weather.gov/marine/)
• Dress properly.
  • Always dress for the weather, wear layers if cooler weather, and bring an extra set of clothes in case you get wet.
• Always file a float plan
  • Leave a detailed float plan with a friend or family member who is staying back. The sooner a craft can be reported overdue, the more likely a positive outcome will result. floatplancentral.cgaux.org/
• Always follow navigation rules. boatoncourse.com
• Don’t drink while you boat; avoid alcohol consumption.
• Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Gasoline-powered engines on boats, including onboard generators, produce carbon monoxide (CO). Be sure to install and maintain a working CO detector.
• Keep in touch.
  • Communication devices can be the most important piece of emergency equipment on board a vessel, especially in an emergency. Be sure to have at least two communication devices that work when wet, such as satellite phones, emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB), VHF radios, and personal locator beacons (PLB). Cell phones are not reliable in an emergency situation.

For more information on safe boating tips, visit the National Safe Boating Council Campaign, National Safe Boating Council, U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, National Marine Manufacturers Association, American Red Cross, and Statista.