Sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), National Safe Boating Week is a global effort dedicated to promoting safe boating practices. In 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 3,844 boating accidents, resulting in 2,126 injuries, 564 fatalities and $63 million in property damage. The number of accidents in 2023 decreased by 4.9% compared to the prior year, while the number of deaths was reduced by 11.3% and injuries by 4.3%.
At Garmin we encourage boaters to take a few simple steps now to help you get home safely from adventures on the water later. Whether you’re new to recreational boating or you’ve been a mariner for decades, now is the perfect time for a refresher on what you need to be doing prior to and during your time on the water. Your life — and the lives of those around you — might just depend on it.
1. Buckle up (Your life jacket, that is)
Of the recreational boating accidents reported by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2023, 87% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. As a reminder, every person on or near your boat needs to wear a life jacket. Ensure children are wearing the right size jacket and are snugly buckled. Better yet, take the NSBC’s “Wear It” pledge, and be sure you have the appropriate number of life jackets on board.
2. Prepare your vessel
Increase your peace of mind on the water by outfitting your boat with Garmin’s award-winning marine electronics, including our GPSMAP® and ECHOMAP™ chartplotters. Coupled with an AIS-capable device — such as the Garmin AIS 800 — select chartplotters can display real-time information about the position, speed and heading of other AIS-equipped vessels in your vicinity. They can also display warning messages designed to help reduce the risk of collisions on the water. For even more ways to increase situational awareness and the ability to respond to the unexpected, check out our wide range of radios and transceivers, GPS satellite communicators, autopilots, radars, camera systems, satellite compasses and more. And don’t forget the free all-in-one ActiveCaptain® app, which connects your mobile device with Garmin chartplotters, charts and community content such as feedback on marinas, boat ramps and other points of interest. You can even receive text alerts and updates about your boating electronics via the Garmin OnDeck system.
3. Know your waters
Being prepared is essential in executing any plan. It’s no different when navigating your route on the water. Get to know your waters even better with our industry-leading mapping solutions that offer daily chart updates, suggested routes and a host of useful features for Garmin chartplotters as well as a select number of other chartplotter brands. Premium options help you see even more clearly with high-resolution relief shading, satellite imagery and more. And with the Navionics® Boating app, you can bring detailed offshore marine and lake charts to your mobile device and share your live location for up to 24 hours.
4. Have a safety plan
It could come in the form of weather, other boaters practicing unsafe behavior or any other kind of emergency, but it’s important that you have safety plans in place in the event of danger. Know how to safely get off (or back on) your boat, ensure that all passengers know where to find your safety equipment and don’t forget to share a rough itinerary of your trip with someone on land.
5. Boat sober
Alcohol is the leading contributing factor to recreational boating fatalities, according to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Operating any water vessel while under the influence is illegal, and maritime law enforcement takes it every bit as seriously as driving a car when under the influence.
6. Take a boating safety course
The NSBC offers plenty of training, both on the water and online, including free videos and quizzes related to the basic navigational rules of boating. Most boaters involved in accidents, the Council says, have never had a boating safety course. Educate yourself before heading out onto the water this season.
There’s nothing more important than your safety when on the water — and by taking the six actions above, you’ll be well on your way to a boating season that remains fun for everyone. For more resources and education, visit the NSBC’s National Safe Boating Week website: safeboatingcampaign.com.
Photo credits: National Safe Boating Council
