Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Updated: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
As we gear up for National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 18-24, 2024, the Sea Tow Foundation and Sea Tow are joining forces to promote boating safety and awareness. With more people expected to hit the water in the coming weeks, it's crucial for boaters to prioritize safety and be well-prepared for their time on the water.
Boating accidents are unfortunately common, with over 4,000 incidents and 600 fatalities reported in the latest statistics by the U.S. Coast Guard. Many of these accidents could have been prevented with proper safety measures in place. National Safe Boating Week serves as an important reminder for boaters to refresh their knowledge of safety procedures and ensure they have all necessary equipment onboard for a safe and enjoyable experience.
In support of National Safe Boating Week, Sea Tow Captains from around the country are sharing their top tips for boating safety:
TIP #1
"Always have an anchor ready. When things go wrong on a boat, it can happen quickly and being able to anchor your boat is an important way to stay safe. Your anchor is no good if it is tangled up at the bottom of a storage compartment. Keep the end of the anchor line secured to your boat and anchor from the bow of your boat.” – Captain Ethan Maass, Sea Tow South Shore and Sea Tow Boston (MA)
TIP #2
“If your boat is running, make sure to stay on board! Jumping out of a running boat can lead to serious injuries, increase the danger of drowning and separate you from your boat, putting you and others at risk."
– Captain Eduardo Barreto, Sea Tow Key Biscayne (FL)
TIP #3
“Never allow children or other occupants to bow ride with their legs or bodies hanging over the front of the boat. In many places it's illegal, but in all places, it’s a recipe for disaster.”
– CaptainRamsey Chason, Sea Tow Cape and Islands (MA) and Sea Tow Rhode Island
TIP #4
“Make sure to add the “if found please call stickers” on all SUPs, kayaks and non-motorized boats. If they simply blow away and are found adrift in the water or on a beach, the information on the sticker could prevent a search and rescue operation.”
– Captain John Bilski, Sea Tow Southern Connecticut
TIP #5
“Always have a tarp in your ditch bag. An affordable, 10x10 tarp can be a lifesaver to protect you from rain, wind, cold, sun and even bugs in certain situations.”
– Captain Christian Orfanello, Sea Tow New Orleans (LA)
TIP #6
“Make sure you have the proper lighting on your boat and that the lights work, especially if you will be out on the water anytime from dusk to dawn. The red, green and white lights are needed so other boats can see you to avoid a collision.” – Captain Jon Gridley, Sea Tow Clarks Hill Lake/Oconee Lake/Lake Sinclair/Lake Allatoona (GA)
One final way to bring boaters some Peace of Mind on the Water ™ is to get or renew your Sea Tow membership before the start of the boating season. With membership, you have the assurance of knowing Sea Tow is standing by to help when the unexpected happens.
Sea Tow and the Sea Tow Foundation encourage boaters to take advantage of the Sea Tow Foundation’s nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program where anyone can borrow a life jacket for the day at no charge.
As we embark on National Safe Boating Week, let's remember that boating safety is not just a week-long initiative – it's a year-round commitment. With thousands of boating accidents and fatalities occurring annually, it's clear that prioritizing safety on the water is essential. Whether you're packing for a day trip or setting out for a longer journey, following these tips from Sea Tow Captains can help ensure a safer and more enjoyable boating experience.
Remember to equip your boat with essential safety gear, adhere to boating regulations and stay vigilant while on the water. Let's work together to make every week safe boating week and protect our precious waterways for generations to come. Stay safe out there!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram all week long for a special contest for National Safe Boating Week and to see even more details related to each tip!
National Safe Boating Week is a week-long, focused event that brings awareness to safe boating before the Memorial Day weekend and the kick-off to the summer boating season. This year, National Safe Boating Week is celebrated from May 20-26, 2023. The Sea Tow Foundation connected with some of the nationwide Sea Tow captains to share 7 boating safety tips that boaters may not think about, but should consider before enjoying a day on the water.
Make a float plan. A float plan explains where a boater is headed and when he or she plans to return, and it should be given to a trusted friend or family member staying on land. This is important in case an emergency happens, or the boater does not arrive back on time, because authorities will know where to focus their search efforts.
– Capt. Christian Orfanello, Sea Tow New Orleans (LA)
Carry communications devices. A cell phone won’t work in many places out on the water, even when you can still see land. That’s why it is important to carry a VHF radio that you can use to call for help. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a larger Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) can also be used in an emergency to help rescuers find you.
– Capt. Mike DeGenero, Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor (FL)
Rule of thirds. Always make sure you have enough fuel for the ride home by following the rule of thirds. Use 1/3 of your gas to head out to your destination and 1/3 to come back, but then you have another 1/3 for any unplanned events.
– Capt. Ann Merritt, Sea Tow Southern Maryland (MD)
Use navigation lights. Even if you don’t think you’ll be out after dark, it is important to have the proper navigation lights for your boat and ensure that they are working before you leave the boat ramp or dock. Lights let other boats see you in the dark and can also help you find your way back.
– Capt. Greg Dreischmeyer, Sea Tow San Diego (CA)
Always have an anchor ready. When things go wrong on a boat, it can happen quickly and being able to anchor your boat is an important way to stay safe. But your anchor is no good to you if it is tangled up at the bottom of a storage compartment: always have the anchor ready to drop swiftly. Keep the end of the anchor line secured to your boat, so you don’t lose the whole length. Anchor from the bow of your boat, as opposed to the stern, to help keep any waves from swamping the boat.
– Capt. Ethan Maass, Sea Tow South Shore (MA)
Slow down. You don’t need to race to get out to the water. It is always there, and the fish will be there, too. Take your time, slow down and enjoy the boating experience. Plus, you’re less likely to hit something submerged in the water, run aground or have other issues if you are proceeding at a slower pace.
– Capt. Jim Pulley, Sea Tow Table Rock Lake (MO)
7. Wear a Life Jacket. The Sea Tow Foundation recently launched the Life Jacket Challenge to raise awareness about the critical need to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. By simulating the rapid onset of on-water emergencies, the challenge encourages boaters of all ages to try and don a life jacket in under 30 seconds. You wouldn’t think of trying to put on a seatbelt in the middle of a car accident, so why should you think you have the time to put on a life jacket in a boating emergency? Try the challenge and post your video whether you succeed or not for a chance to win prizes all summer long!
-Gail R. Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director
Can you find and put on a life jacket in 30 seconds? Try the Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Challenge and be eligible for prizes all summer long. Find out more at: https://www.boatingsafety.com/lifejacketchallenge
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, April 25, 2022
Updated: Friday, April 22, 2022
The Sea Tow Foundation has created a National Safe Boating Week Resource Kit available free of charge to marine industry stakeholders. The kit offers instructions on how to share a wealth of resources including safety tips, photos, videos, blogs, and social media posts to cover the entire seven days.
National Safe Boating Week is held from May 21 – 27 and the Sea Tow Foundation hopes that our for-profit and non-profit recreational boating industry colleagues can use this simple resource kit to participate.
To access the Sea Tow Foundation’s free National Safe Boating Week Resource Kit, please visit: www.boatingsafety.com/NSBW
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Friday, May 28, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #7 - Renew Your Sea Tow Membership
One of the number one reasons people go boating is for fun and relaxation. Being prepared should the unexpected happen makes all the difference; you don’t want to be left stranded.
At some point you will need help on the water, and when that time comes, you want to know who is standing by to help. Sea Tow offers membership advantages far beyond 24/7 towing support. Sea Tow Captains work harder and smarter to keep you boating and can provide local navigation, mishap prevention, and can help get members back underway by troubleshooting over the phone.
Being a Sea Tow member means having exclusive access to captains with tremendous experience and knowledge who are there to help you with everything from navigational support to on-water assistance. Only $179 per year for a Gold Card Membership is a small price to pay for peace-of-mind and best-in-class service. Visit www.seatow.com to renew your membership or give them a call at 800-473-2869 anytime.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #6 - Wear Your Life Jacket
Wearing a life jacket is the single most important thing you can do to improve your safety on board a boat. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most recent Recreational Boating Statistics report, 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 86% were not wearing a life jacket. In other words, 8 out of 10 lives would have been saved had the people been wearing life jackets.
The Sea Tow Foundation and U.S. Coast Guard recommend that boaters wear life jackets at all times because you can never predict when you’ll need them. You can’t put on a seatbelt in a car while you are in the middle of a car accident, and you won’t be able to put on a life jacket in the middle of an on-water emergency either. Wearing it is the best option.
Modern life jackets are designed to be comfortable to wear and some kid’s models are colorful and feature fun themes, which help make children want to wear them. The two most important pieces to check is that 1) the life jackets are U.S. Coast Guard approved and 2) the life jackets are the proper size for the person wearing them. A child can’t wear an adult-size life jacket because they will slip out of it in the water and an adult would never float if they were hanging onto a child-size life jacket.
Inflatable life jackets are also an option for those at least 16 years of age. They can be worn on the waist or like a pair of suspenders so that they are out of the way until they are needed, but they must be worn to be approved. Also, if you plan to go white water kayaking, wake boarding, riding a PWC, or participating in any other activity with high impact, an inflatable life jacket is not an option.
If you don’t have enough life jackets for everyone on board or don’t want to purchase a life jacket for a one-time boat visitor, don’t worry. The Sea Tow Foundation has established over 750 life jacket loaner stations throughout the United States where boaters can easily borrow and return life jackets in all sizes to ensure that they have the right size for everyone on board. You can find a life jacket loaner station near you at www.boatingsafety.com/map.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #5 - Take a Boating Safety Class
Taking a boating safety class is one of the first steps all boaters should take to ensure their safety on the water. According to the U.S. Coast Guard statistics, 70 percent of accidents were caused by operators with no formal boating education. Boats aren’t like cars and the levers and gears are not as simple to figure out, plus boats don’t have brakes like a car does. Getting the chance to learn how to operate your boat and maneuver safely from one place to another is important as is learning the Rules of the Road for navigating the waterways including knowing what to do when encountering various buoys and signs.
Every state has a different set of regulations as to who is required to take a boating safety class that vary depending on age and the type of boat being operated. While new boaters should take classes to learn the basics, even experienced boaters can benefit from taking a boating safety class, especially because boating laws may have changed over the years. An added benefit is that many boating insurance companies offer a discount if a boat owner completes an accredited class. And, with both classroom and online classes available, there is no excuse why you can’t take a boating safety class before the boating season starts.
To find a class approved in the state where you’ll be boating, go to the U.S. Coast Guard website’s directory of boater education sources. You can also take a state-of-the-art interactive, online boating safety course from our friends at iLearntoBoat.com and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Sea Tow Foundation.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #4 - Pledge to be a Sober Skipper
Most people don’t realize that the sun, wind and motion of the boat greatly magnify the effects of alcohol or drug use even if the driver is under the legal limit. These additional stressors on the body can mean that the boat operator can still be impaired to the extent where safety is compromised. And, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s report on recreational boating, there were 282 accidents, 113 deaths and 221 injuries that were attributed to Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in 2019. Every single one of these tragic events could have been prevented by having a Sober Skipper in control of the boat and all of the passengers on board to keep everyone safe.
The Sea Tow Foundation’s Sober Skipper Campaignwas started in 2015 and, since that time, events have been held in all 50 states where yellow wristbands are distributed signifying that a boater has taken the pledge to be the Sober Skipper. To get a wristband that identifies you as a Sober Skipper, go to www.soberskipper.com and Take the Pledge today. Together, we can eliminate Boating Under the Influence accidents and deaths and keep everyone on the water safe.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, May 24, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #3 - File a Float Plan
One of the simplest and most effective ways to increase the safety of those on your boat is to always file a float plan before going out on the water. The float plan can be as simple as a post-it note or a text message to a responsible friend or family member staying on land. You need to include where you are planning to go, what time you plan to be back, and who to contact in an emergency. That way, if you don’t make it back when you said you would, emergency personnel can be notified and will know when and where to start looking for you.
Another option is that you can go to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s website and print a copy of their official Float Plan form, fill it out with the basic information about you, your boat and the emergency equipment you carry. Then you can make a lot of copies regarding details of the trip for that day and leave copies with friends and family members on land.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Sunday, May 23, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #2 - Use an Engine Cutoff Switch
Boat operators and passengers can fall overboard from a boat for a variety of reasons including being hit by the wake from another boat, hitting an unexpected object in the water, leaning over the gunwale too far, or simply losing your balance. Unlike a car’s accelerator that slows the car down when released, a boat’s power lever, or throttle, is designed to keep the power on without the need for constant pressure. This means that the boat will continue moving even if someone is no longer at the helm of the boat and this is why an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) or device is so important. If the operator or someone else ends up in the water accidentally, the boat’s propeller would still be moving and could cause serious injury or death unless an engine cut-off switch or device stopped it.
The most common engine cut-off switch uses a lanyard which is attached from the switch to the boat’s operator and causes the engine to shut down should the operator leave the helm for any reason. Another option is an engine cut-off device that can be used to protect everyone in the boat in the event that any of them should fall overboard. Each person on the boat wears a small device on their life jackets and, if any of them were to fall overboard, the device sends a wireless signal to shut off the engine. There are several wireless options available on the market including the MOB+ made by FELL Marine who is a recent winner of the Sea Tow Foundation’s National Boating Industry Safety Awards.
As of April 1, 2021, federal law mandates the use of engine cut-off switches on boats less than 26 feet long when on federally navigable waterways when the boat is moving. Law enforcement can issue a citation starting at $100 for non-compliance, so it is important to make sure you use your engine cut-off switch or purchase a wireless option to use every time you head out on the water.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Updated: Monday, October 23, 2023
National Safe Boating Week Tip #1 - Carry an EPIRB or PLB
One of the most important safety devices you can carry on your boat is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Both of these use National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) satellites that can alert rescuers to your exact location if an emergency takes place.
An EPIRB is registered to a boat while a PLB is registered to an individual, but both are registered through the NOAA Beacon Registration website. The advantages of an EPIRB is that they float, can be activated just by being immersed under water and are required to be able to broadcast a distress beacon for 48 hours vs. 24 hours for a PLB. While PLBs are smaller and are less expensive than an EPIRB, they must be held or attached to a lifejacket or belt and they can only be manually activated. PLBs are also used by hikers, back-country skiers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Having an EPIRB for your boat and a PLB to take with you when you’re a guest on another boat, gives you the ability to summon help in an emergency virtually everywhere you go. Our friends at ACR have some great PLB and EPIRB options available, so check them out and order yours today.
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