Boaters

Boating Safety Tips

Summer Boating Safety Tips

As the boating season begins, millions of Americans will be participating in recreational boating. While these excursions are full of fun and leisure, the number one priority for every boater should be safety.

Remember that it is important to take the necessary steps to make sure everyone on board stays safe. Here are some tips to ensure you, your family, and friends are safe while on the water.

COVID-19: Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy While Boating

The Operation Dry Water campaign encourages all boaters to boat responsibly and take extra precautions this boating season to keep not only yourself, but other boaters and law enforcement officers, safe and healthy.

May 2020 Press Release

For more information, check out the full Summer Boating Safety Tips document and sample social media posts.

The Big Three

For a safe and fun boating experience...

Boat Sober.

Never boat under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

Wear a Life Jacket.

87% of people who drowned in a recreational boating incident were not wearing a life jacket. Always wear your life jacket!

Take a Boating Safety Course.

In incidents where the operator’s instruction was known, 75% of fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received any boating safety instruction.