Boating is a beloved pastime, but safety should always be a priority. The U.S. Coast Guard released its annual report on recreational boating incidents for the 2023 calendar year, which provides crucial insights into boating safety trends, highlights areas for improvement and shows that boating safety efforts are making an impact.

The 2023 report reveals both progress and ongoing challenges. Boating fatalities decreased by 11.3%, from 636 in 2022 to 564 in 2023, while the total number of incidents dropped by 4.9%, from 4,040 to 3,844. Non-fatal injuries also decreased 4.3%, from 2,222 to 2,126. Despite these positive trends, alcohol remains the leading known factor in fatal accidents, accounting for 79 deaths or 17% of total fatalities, but the number of deaths had decreased from 88 the previous year.

The top five contributing factors to accidents included operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure. The fatality rate improved, falling to 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels (a 9.3% decrease from the previous year). However, the data showed that 3 out of every 4 boaters who died in a boating accident drowned and of those deaths, 87% were not wearing a life jacket, emphasizing the importance of this critical safety measure.

The Sea Tow Foundation’s mission is to eliminate preventable boating accidents and fatalities by providing access to education, tools and resources. We want to encourage boaters to always wear life jackets, and learn and adhere to safe boating practices. Our Life Jacket Loaner Program is a crucial part of this effort, providing boaters with free access to properly fitting life jackets to borrow at over 1,300 locations. These Life Jacket Loaner Stations are stocked with sizes from infant to adult extra-large and are available across all 56 states and territories. This program ensures that every boater, regardless of their experience or resources, has the life-saving equipment they need for a safe day out on the water. Check out our Life Jacket Loaner Station map to find the one closest to you.

Another one of our pivotal initiatives in promoting boating safety is the Sober Skipper Campaign. We believe that achieving zero Boating Under the Influence (BUI) incidents is within reach, as these accidents are entirely preventable. And the Sober Skipper campaign is working as evidenced by the continual decrease in the numbers of accidents and deaths attributed to BUI. By taking the Sober Skipper Pledge, boaters commit to having a sober, responsible person at the helm, ensuring a safer experience for everyone on the water. We encourage all boaters to join us in taking this pledge, making our waters safer and more enjoyable for all.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2023 statistics serve as a reminder that safety on the water should always be a priority. By following recommended safety practices and taking advantage of resources from the Sea Tow Foundation, boaters can enjoy their time on the water while significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

Boating is a fantastic way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the fresh air. However, we all know that conditions can change, and things can happen, so it is important to be prepared and carry all of the required equipment. The Sea Tow Foundation has put together a list of the 10 Essentials for Boating to make sure you have everything you need (plus everything required to take) before heading out for a day or weekend on the water. And, these would be great gift ideas for the boaters in your life! We've provided some links to help you purchase our favorite items*!

1. Life Jackets – The Coast Guard requires that a properly fitted life jacket be on board for each person in the boating group plus a throwable device like a ring buoy or floating cushion. While the universal-size life jackets that came with your boat will meet the requirements for adults, they won’t fit children, so you’ll need to have other life jackets for them. And it’s also a good idea to invest in some better life jackets for the adults that are comfortable and will provide better buoyancy like an inflatable life jacket. And, make sure that throwable device has some rope tied to it so you can bring someone back onto the boat! Don't forget that the Sea Tow Foundation’s nationwide life jacket loaner program has over 1,300 stations where you can easily borrow a vest-style life jacket if you invite any last minute guests on board and need a life jacket for them.
   
   
2. Fire Extinguishers – If your boat has an engine, you are required to have a fire extinguisher on board. It also needs to be rated for marine use. Even a personal watercraft needs to have a fire extinguisher on board. 
   
   
3. Signaling Gear – If you need to get help to your position or notify someone of a problem, you’ll need to carry signaling gear. For non-powered boats on inland lakes and rivers, a mirror is usually sufficient, but if you are on a power boat or are going into the Great Lakes or Coastal waters, then you're required to carry traditional flares or an E-Flare. For more information about the different types of flares, check out our page devoted to Flare Education.
   
   
4. Lights – Boats are required to have Navigation Lights (red, green and white) to help other boats see you on the water and know which direction you are moving. If you are in a non-powered boat, even if you don’t plan to be on the water after dark, it is a good idea to carry a water-proof flashlight on board. As the days get shorter in the fall and spring, the nighttime often sneaks up on you and it is good to know that a flashlight can help you with finding the boat ramp and it also alerts other boats to your position so that they can avoid you.
   
   
5. Anchor and Extra Line – Being able to stop your boat from moving is important if the battery or engine fails so that you don’t drift into a boating channel or into dangerous waters. That's why carrying an anchor is required. The anchor should be strong enough for the type and size of boat that you’re using and rated for the bottom type that is found in that area whether that is mud, sand, clay, grass, or rocks.
   
   
6. Safety Kit – This is one of the items that it's required for legal purposes, but you should still take the time to put together a boating safety kit that includes a first aid kit complete with bandages, gauze, tape, alcohol wipes, anti-nausea medicine, gloves, tweezers, and cold compresses. If anyone in your boating group has a medical condition like Diabetes, it is a good idea to include glucose tablets or tubes of icing to assist with low blood sugar. Adding a Multi-Tool and duct tape to any safety kit are good ideas as they both can be used in multiple ways whether that is patching up the boat or a wound.
   
   
7. Sound Signal Device – Depending on the type of boat you’re using, helps determine the type of signaling device youre required to carry. A canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard should have a whistle attached to every life jacket and it isn’t a bad idea to add whistles to the life jackets on every type of boat, too. Any boat less than 39.4 feet in length must have some device that can produce a sound, so powerboats often have a horn on board to meet this requirement. Boats that are larger need to make sure that the device can be heard for a half mile with a 4-6 second duration.
   
   
8. Communications Device – Getting in touch with a friend or family member to let them know that you’ll be late for dinner is important, but being able to get help in an emergency is critical. You can’t always rely on a cell phone to work, even on an inland lake or river, so it is a good idea to carry a VHF radio or a satellite communication device like a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a Garmin InReach.
   
   
9. License, Registration, and Nautical Chart – All boat operators are required to carry their boat’s registration paperwork as well as a copy of their boating license and/or driver’s license. It’s also a good idea to have a paper chart of your waterway just in case the electronics don’t work for some reason. And, keeping all of these in a waterproof pouch is a smart idea so that they stay dry at all times.
   
   
10. Food and Water – The last item isn't required, but is always a good idea for any trip out on the water. Plan to pack enough food and drinks for everyone on board for at least double the amount of time that you plan to be on the water. If you are packing for an afternoon boat ride that will last 4 hours, make sure to have enough food and water that you can be comfortable for at least 8 hours. That way, if you are delayed in returning to the boat dock for whatever reason, you and your boating group will not feel as hungry and thirsty as they otherwise would.

Bonus item: Having a Sea Tow Membership is always a smart idea so that you and your boat will be taken care of because members always get priority service. And this mans that you can get back to enjoying your day on the water even faster.

*The Sea Tow Foundation may receive compensation as an affiliate of Amazon for purchases made with these links.

Administered through the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, the 2024 Life Jacket Loaner Program has been awarded to 116 deserving groups across 45 states and territories. This means that the Sea Tow Foundation will officially have Life Jacket Loaner Stations established in all 56 states and territories this year!

Among the groups receiving life jackets and loaner stand building kits this year, 49 groups located across 39 different states are opening Life Jacket Loaner Stations for the first time., thus growing the impact and outreach of the program. A handful of the groups opening Life Jacket Loaner Stations applied because a water-related accident or tragedy occurred in their community, and they wanted to make a difference. This expansion ensures that more communities than ever before have access to essential life jackets in sizes for anyone to borrow and return for free.

All the life jacket loaner stations are hosted by a diverse array of organizations, including community groups, marine businesses, health care organizations, law enforcement agencies, municipalities, parks and over a dozen Sea Tow franchises. While some of the loaner stands are open year-round, the majority are operated seasonally which means that they’ll be opening soon for the summer boating season.

Despite the significant achievement of now having loaner stations in all 56 states and territories, the Sea Tow Foundation was not able to provide nearly enough life jackets to everyone that applied, so the demand for life jackets remains high. To further support the mission, companies or individuals with a surplus of new or gently-used life jackets are encouraged to donate them to the Sea Tow Foundation so that boaters can use them at the over 1,300 nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Stations. If you have life jackets to donate, please contact the Sea Tow Foundation at info@boatingsafety.com or fill out this form.

For more information about the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program, please visit: https://www.boatingsafety.com/page/life-jacket-loaner-program

In case you haven’t heard, large parts of the United States will be treated to a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 . And, for those not in the direct path, there will be a partial eclipse. 

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, blocking all or part of the sun. While the total eclipse will last only a few minutes, there will be a few hours of reduced daylight leading up to and after the total eclipse, which is scheduled to happen in the middle of the day.

The Sea Tow Foundation is providing the following tips to boaters that may decide to get out on the water to observe the eclipse so that they can do it safely and have fun at the same time.

1. Research what time the eclipse will occur in your specific area by checking out the NASA website. Plan to head out on the water well before the eclipse will occur. You don’t want to miss it because you’re busy finding the perfect spot to anchor.
   
   
2. Be aware that the eclipse will cause darkness similar to the middle of the night if you are in the path of totality and the time leading up to and after the eclipse, or for those not in the direct path, the light will be like dusk or early dawn in terms of the amount of light. For this reason, make sure your navigation lights are working before you head out as you’ll need to use them.
   
   
3. Whether you intend to watch the eclipse from your boat or on land, ensure you have proper eyewear by purchasing solar eclipse glasses. Without proper eye protection, you can harm or burn your retinas if you look directly at the sun, causing permanent damage. Eclipse glasses should be certified by the American Astronomical Society. Make sure you plan to get them early so that they arrive on time for the big event.

4. Be prepared, get anchored and stay away from busy boating channels and bridges. Make sure your anchor sticks so that you don’t drift.
   
   
5. All passengers should be wearing life jackets during the eclipse since it will be very dark during the event.
   
   
6. Consider carrying a spotlight in case a boat is headed in your direction and doesn’t see you.
   
   
7. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Before and after the eclipse, you’ll still be in direct sunlight.
   

The last time the U.S. saw a total solar eclipse was in 2017, but the weather was cloudy through much of the country back then, so most people could not actually see the phenomenon. You don’t want to miss the April 8^th eclipse because the U.S. will not witness another one until August 23, 2044.

Smooth sailing relies on more than just the wind in your sails or the power of your engine. One critical element that can often get overlooked is proper lighting on your boat. Whether you’re cruising through serene waters or navigating a hectic harbor, adequate lighting cannot be overstated. Not only does it ensure your safety and that of others on the water, but it also plays a pivotal role in compliance with maritime regulations.

Navigation lights are essential for boat lighting. They serve as a communication tool between vessels, indicating their position, direction and status on the water. Typically, boats display red, green and white navigation lights. Red and green lights are usually positioned on the port (left) and starboard (right) sides, respectively. These lights indicate the direction the boat is moving when seen from another boat at night. A white light is often mounted at the stern and it can also be mounted on top of a mast or placed on top of the cabin. A white light may also be the only light shown for small canoes, kayaks or row boats out at night. No matter what kind of boat is out, the white light should be visible from all directions, indicating its position and ensuring other nearby vessels are aware of its existence.

The trend of decorating boats with colorful LED strips or deck lights has gained popularity. Some people feel that certain colors attract fish while others like to add some lights only during the holiday season. No matter why you decide to add some pizzazz to your boat with decorative lights, the lights must not obstruct or interfere with the visibility or functionality of navigation lights.

Here are some essential tips to ensure your decorative lights don’t compromise your safety:

●Secure Installation: Make sure all lights and decorations are securely fixed and won't interfere with the required red, green and white navigation lights. They should also not reduce the operator's visibility.

●Battery-Operated LED Lights: Opt for battery-operated LED lights to minimize power usage and reduce fire risks. These lights are efficient and reduce the risk of electrical problems on your boat.

●Regular Maintenance: Check that the navigation lights as well as the decorative lights work properly before leaving the dock. Malfunctioning lights can create confusion and compromise safety. And, a failure to display the red, green and white navigation lights could result in a hefty fine from law enforcement.

●Weight Distribution: Avoid overloading your boat with decorations and decorative lights, as excessive weight can affect its balance and safety on the water. Distribute decorations evenly to maintain stability.

Proper lighting on your boat isn’t just about illuminating the night; it’s essential to safe navigation. Maintaining a balance between aesthetics and safety is crucial for boat owners. Incorporating decorative lights in a way that complements, rather than hampers, your boat is the goal. Make sure you understand and adhere to maritime lighting regulations and help maintain a safe environment for all on the water.