12 Boating Safety Tips for Memorial Day Weekend and Beyond
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In 2020, 415,000 first-time boat owners got on the water, which means this Memorial Day weekend the waters are probably going to be more crowded than ever.
So, vigilance and preparation will be key.
Here are 12 boating safety tips from the Water Sport Foundation as the 2021 boating season kicks into high gear. There are lessons and reminders here for everyone, including the old salts.
Number 1 - Education & Essential Equipment
Before launching your boat, be sure you are confident and comfortable at the helm, following successful completion of a boating safety education course. If you haven’t already done so, enroll in a boating class taught by qualified and certified boating safety instructors, preferably with curriculum that meets approved American National Standard for on-water skills training.
With so many first-time boat owners on the water, Memorial Day weekend could be hazardous
Updated 12:05 PM;
Today 12:05 PM
Before getting underway, make sure the driver of the boat has clearly communicated safety information and ground rules with all passengers, including children. Photo courtesy of the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association.
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With more than 400,000 first-time boat owners eager to get their crafts on the water, Memorial Day weekend could be busy and accident-prone, notes the Water Sports Foundation.
During the first year of the pandemic in 2020, more than 415,000 Americans bought their first boats, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
12 Top Boating Safety Tips for the Busy Memorial Day Weekend and Beyond
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ORLANDO, Fla., April 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ With new and used boat sales soaring to record highs in 2020 to first-time boat buyers, boating safety stakeholders are taking extra measures to communicate and promote safe boating messages prior to the Memorial Day holiday the unofficial launch of the summer boating season. The pandemic literally saw hundreds of thousands of newcomers join the ranks of first-time boat owners, so we re taking extra precautions to pro-actively share safe boating strategies, said Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons. We ve identified a dozen top tips for keeping boaters safe that we believe can positively impact boater safety while maximizing enjoyment on the nation s waterways over this holiday season, and beyond.