Partners offer safety tips for boaters and passengers

May 20, 2013

This year, more than 80 million Americans will enjoy boating with friends and family. The National Safe Boating Council and the NOAA's National Weather Service have partnered to support boating safety by creating relevant, weather and safety-specific public service announcements for National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 18 to 24.

We want boaters to stay safe on the water. The goal of our collaborative effort is to encourage boaters to follow proper boating safety precautions, including ensuring everyone is wearing a properly fitted, USCG-approved life jacket, and being aware of the local weather forecast, said Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council.

The two organizations will develop seven public service announcements to be played throughout National Safe Boating Week. Topics include life jacket wear, vessel safety checks, EPIRBs, marine forecasts, hypothermia, thunderstorm safety and boating under the influence. The announcements as well as additional information can be found at nws.noaa.gov/safeboating and SafeBoatingCampaign.com.

Every boater should take the time to check the marine weather forecast from the National Weather Service before and during their outing, said Dr. Louis Uccellini, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. From smartphones to NOAA Weather Radio, boaters have more ways than ever to receive updated forecasts should the weather change suddenly. Individual preparedness and knowing about hazardous weather can make the difference between an enjoyable day on the water and an unpleasant or even tragic trip.

National Safe Boating Week is part of the yearlong North American Safe Boating Campaign to bring together boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets.

Also, the National Weather Service and National Safe Boating Council will partner with other boating safety groups and organizations to promote safe boating habits on the water. The U.S. Coast Guard, United States Power Squadrons, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, BoatUS and others are critical partners in outreach efforts to deliver up-to-date and critical boating and weather-safety information.

The National Safe Boating Council administers the North American Safe Boating Campaign designed to educate boaters about the importance of consistent life jacket wear. The campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Be sure to follow the campaign on Twitter at twitter.com/boatingcampaign and Facebook at facebook.com/SafeBoatCampaign. For more information, please visit SafeBoatingCampaign.com.

NOAA's National Weather Service supplies the most up-to-date and accurate weather forecast and warning information to the public. NWS's marine forecasts provide timely weather information relating to U.S. coastal and offshore waters, the Great Lakes, and the open oceans to ensure the safety of life and protection of property, promote international and interstate commerce by improving the efficiency of marine operations, mitigate environmental impacts and enhance the quality of life for the United States.

NOAA's National Ocean Service provides navigation products that protect lives, strengthen the maritime economy, and position America for the future. For more information visit weather.gov/marine or noaa.gov. Be sure to follow NOAA on Twitter at twitter.com/usNWSgov, Facebook at facebook.com/usnoaagov and other social media channels at weather.gov/socialmedia.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.