(Manassas, VA, Monday, May 24, 2021) – National Safe Boating Week will be held from May 22-28, 2021, reminding all boaters to brush up on boating safety skills and prepare for the boating season. This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible.

Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the National Safe Boating Council, the lead organization for the annual Safe Boating Campaign, offers tips for boaters to make great memories and stay safe while boating.

SOUNDBITE #1:

IT’S EASY FOR BOATERS TO GET WHAT WE REFER TO AS VACATION BRAIN AND LET SAFETY TAKE THE BACK SEAT. REMEMBER ALWAYS WEAR A U.S. COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE JACKET, AND NEVER BOAT UNDER THE INFLUENCE. ALCOHOL IS THE TOP CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN RECREATIONAL BOATING ACCIDENTS, AND WHEN YOU BOAT THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ARE MAGNIFIED IN THE SUN AND THE WATER. BE SURE TO ALWAYS DESIGNATE A SOBER SKIPPER.

SOUNDBITE #2:

THERE ARE MANY BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO SEE WHILE BOATING, AND, LOTS OF DISTRACTIONS. AS CAPTAIN OF YOUR BOAT, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. THERE ARE THREE THINGS BOATERS CAN DO TO PREVENT A BOATING ACCIDENT: ONE – ALWAYS WEAR A LIFE JACKET. EIGHTY-SIX PERCENT OF DROWNING VICTIMS IN RECREATIONAL BOATING ACCIDENTS WERE NOT WEARING A LIFE JACKET. TWO – USE AN ENGINE CUT-OFF DEVICE. THIS WILL STOP THE BOAT’S ENGINE SHOULD THE OPERATOR UNEXPECTEDLY FALL OVERBOARD. AND, THREE – NEVER BOAT UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

Boat responsibly and always wear a life jacket. For more tips from the Safe Boating Campaign, visit safeboatingcampaign.com.