OWL Recognizes National Safe Boating Week

OWL’s Marine Rescue Division was created to assist boaters and water enthusiasts on the Occoquan River, Belmont Bay, Occoquan Bay, and Potomac River. Our crews are all too familiar with emergencies that happen on the waterways.

It’s fitting that National Safe Boating Week falls the week before Memorial Day weekend. The observance is a great opportunity to remind boat enthusiasts not to let an accident or mechanical failure ruin a fun day on the water.

In 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard reported a nationwide 3.3 % decrease in recreational boating accidents and deaths compared to 2021. There were 4,040 accidents involving 636 deaths, 2,222 injuries, and approximately $63 million in property damage. However, the months of May, June, and July still saw the highest number of deaths in recreational boating accidents. Also, reported by the U.S. Coast Guard, “Where the cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 85% were not wearing a life jacket.”

Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. It was the leading factor in 16% of deaths, where the primary cause of death was known.

“Boating under the influence continues to be one of the leading causes of accidents and deaths within the boating community,” said Doug Leavell, Coast Guard District Eleven Recreational Boating Safety Specialist. “When it comes to boating and alcohol, save it for the shore!”

Other significant statistics reported by the U.S. Coast Guard include:

• 74% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instructions.
• 14% percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate.
• Operator inattention, inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure were the top five contributing factors to accidents.
• Collisions (with vessels, objects, and groundings) were the most frequent first event in accidents, attributing to 55% of accidents, 21% of deaths, and 53% of injuries.
• Where data was known, the most common vessel types involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (47%), personal watercraft (18%), and cabin motorboats (14%).

When on the water, unexpected situations can occur and escalate. Most of the victims in recreational boating accidents had access to a life jacket but did not have it on. Consistent wearing of a life jacket when on a boat or any watercraft/water transportation 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.

Photo Credit: National Safe Boating Council

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 it is 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. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s website for guidance on developing a float plan.
• Always follow navigation rules. Visit Boat On Course to learn the basic navigation rules of boating from the National Safe Boating Council.
• 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.