Boating Safety – It Could Mean Your Life

In the most recent year with complete data, 701 lives were lost as a result of recreational boating accidents in the U.S. and its territories. BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) was identified as part of the problem in 31% of those fatalities. Operators with a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent (for most of us, that means just one to three beers) are 10 times as likely to be killed in a boating accident as a sober boater.

What about the remaining three deaths out of every four? Additional contributing factors were excessive speed and other improper operation, poor vision, faulty equipment, inadequate safety systems and devices, limited or inaccurate local knowledge, and ignorance of basic rules of the waterway. Take a few minutes to browse through the headings in this important section. We encourage every boater to be serious about boating safety, starting with the proper kind and amount of boater training. Remember, a boating mishap or fatality often involves innocent people who share in none of the blame, but all of the consequence. As a responsible boater, the life you save may very well be someone else’s. Remember, B E S A F E* -

KNOW YOUR…

Boat

Equipment

Safety devices and PFDs

Alcohol limits

First aid and emergency procedures

Environment (area and weather)

…BEFORE YOU GO!

* Source: National Safe Boating Council