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Enjoying summer on the water: Essential boating safety tips

The heat of the summer continues to drive more than 100 million Americans to spend their days boating on the water each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Swimming, tubing, fishing, there is always something for everyone to enjoy to escape the blistering temperatures.   

But no matter if you are operating a boat or merely along for the ride, boating can pose many dangers if safety isn’t taken seriously. According to the United States Coast Guard, there were 564 fatalities and 2,126 injuries involving boats in 2023. Risks can include drowning, crashing, hazardous conditions, not being aware of your surroundings and countless other injuries that can occur on and off the boat.   

To protect yourself and other boaters while on the water, here are 5 safety tips to remember before putting the key in the ignition.   

1. Check the local weather forecast before you leave the dock. Weather can change instantaneously and if you see dark clouds rolling in, use good judgement and safely exit the water.  

2. Make sure everyone on board wears a properly and approved fitted life jacket. In 2023, 75% of boating deaths were drownings. Of those reported drownings, 87% of victims were not wearing a life jacket, according to a report by the United States Coast Guard. This is a simple strategy that could just save your life if worn and fitted correctly.   

3. Always obey the signs in the water and don’t speed. Signs are there for a reason; if you pass a “No Wake” post, listen to the sign and don’t create a wake. Maintain idle speed and drive cautiously through the zone until you are safe to increase speed.   

4. Have safety equipment on board. Start with a first-aid kit, extra life jackets, a fire extinguisher and a signaling device. You never know when something could happen, so being prepared while out on the water is highly important.  

5. Check your equipment thoroughly. Keep a checklist; before every outing, check the battery, propeller, engine, oil levels and safety equipment before you leave the dock, or have a professional marine technician handle it.  

Operating a boat is major fun and a major responsibility.  Even if you are a seasoned sailor, if precautions are not taken seriously, the fun can be disrupted within a second by an accident. Don’t forget to have fun and keep a sharp eye on other boaters whenever you are out on the water. 

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.   

Sources:   

Boating Safety – National Safety Council (nsc.org)

Know Before You Go Boating: Safety Tips from NOAA | U.S. Department of Commerce

2023 Recreational Boating Statistics (uscgboating.org)