Safety is the paramount reason for the rules of the road and for courtesy on the water.
Whether a sailboat or power cruiser, kayak or SUP, small boat, large boat, or PWC, remember we share the waterways with each other and it’s important to consider other users of the waterways.
There are many new boaters on the water now and they may not know the rules or courtesies of the best actions to take. So please be doubly alert. And if you count yourself among these new boaters, welcome to the water. Consider taking a boating safety course.
The U.S. Coast Guard is asking all boat owners and operators to help reduce fatalities, injuries, property damage, and associated healthcare costs related to recreational boating accidents by taking personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their passengers. Essential steps include: wearing a life jacket at all times and requiring passengers to do the same; never boating under the influence (BUI); successfully completing a boating safety course; and getting a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) annually from local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadrons®, or your state boating agency’s Vessel Examiners. The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters to “Boat Responsibly!” For more tips on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.
