MANASSAS, Va., June 20, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- It's
important to be a responsible boater and take necessary precautions
this Fourth of July holiday, the highest-boating traffic time of
the summer. The Safe Boating Campaign, a program of the National
Safe Boating Council, reminds boaters of three key tips to prevent
a boating accident – always wear a life jacket, never boat under
the influence, and use an engine cut-off device.
"The July 4th holiday is a great
time to celebrate our freedom with family and friends while
enjoying a safe boating experience," said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National
Safe Boating Council.
The Safe Boating Campaign shares these important boating safety
reminders:
Always wear a life jacket. Drowning is the reported cause of
death in 76 percent of all boating fatalities – and 84.5 percent of
drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing
a life jacket in 2017. Wearing a life jacket at all times while
boating is the simplest safety step a boater can take, just like
wearing a seat belt in a vehicle. Boaters can choose from a variety
of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets appropriate for their
water activity.
Never boat under the influence. Boating under the influence is
the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. The
side effects of alcohol or drug use, such as impaired judgment,
reduced balance and poor coordination, are magnified while boating.
Impairment can be even more dangerous for boaters than for drivers,
since most boaters have less experience and confidence operating a
boat than they do driving a car.
Use an engine cut-off device. An engine cut-off device is a
proven safety device to stop the boat's engine should the operator
unexpectedly fall overboard. In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard reported
172 accidents in which at least one person was struck by a
propeller. These accidents resulted in 31 deaths and 162 injuries,
all of which could be prevented if the boat operator was wearing an
engine cutoff device.
Find more boating safety tips at
https://safeboatingcampaign.com/.
The Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the
Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and administered by
the U.S. Coast Guard. All statistics are from the U.S. Coast
Guard.
SOURCE National Safe Boating Council