The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is proud to join boating safety advocates nationwide to raise awareness about safe boating practices during National Safe Boating Week. Millions of Americans participate in the sport and leisure of recreational boating and are gearing up to enjoy the summer boating months across the country. National Safe Boating Week is observed to bring attention to important life-saving tips for recreational boaters so they can have a safe and enjoyable boating experience.
“This is the time of year that we in the recreational boating safety community are doing everything we can to educate boaters prior to the major boating season,” says John Johnson, NASBLA Executive Director and CEO. “We want to make sure boaters know what they can do to have a safe and enjoyable boating experience. This includes wearing your life jacket, boating sober, taking a boating education course and getting a vessel safety check. Summer is busy on the water and we are working with the states and other boating safety advocates to help keep our nation’s waters as safe as possible.”
Alcohol use remains the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths[i]. Alcohol use while boating impairs your judgment and reaction time. It can also lead to passengers falling into the water unexpectedly. Boating without the influence of alcohol is one of the biggest things you can do to keep you and your passengers safe on the water.
Equally as important is making sure all passengers on board are wearing a life jacket before launching. This includes anyone taking part in paddlecraft activities. Life jackets save lives when the unexpected happens and when it is too late to reach for a stowed life jacket. Over 80% of those who drowned while boating were not wearing a life jacket. Be sure everyone on board your vessel is wearing a life jacket at all times. There are numerous styles of U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets that make it comfortable to wear one during any on-water activity.
The North American Safe Boating Campaign unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the National Safe Boating Council and is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national nonprofit organization representing all 50 states and the U.S. territories. In addition to developing public policy for recreational boating safety and maritime security for over 50 years, NASBLA has been committed to maintaining the national training and education standards for the recreational boating community and the maritime public safety professionals. NASBLA’s mission includes fostering partnerships among the states, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other recreation boating safety partners. To learn more about how NASBLA visit www.nasbla.org.