Coast Guard Urges Safety During National Safe Boating Week, Memorial Day Weekend

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary celebrate National Safe Boating Week, May 21 through May 27, and urge mariners and beachgoers to be safe this Memorial Day weekend.Memorial Day weekend is considered by many as the unofficial start to the recreational boating season. As boaters take to the water, there is an increased likelihood for search and rescue situations, mechanical failures and accidents.The 2020 recreational boating season saw an increase of boating accidents and deaths. Nationwide, recreational boating accidents that resulted in death exceeded 2019 by 24%. The months of June, July and August specifically saw the highest rate of on-water deaths from recreational boating in 23 years.”Boating continues to be a relatively safe activity, but education is key. I encourage anyone who has not attended a boating education course to seek any of the several ones available through organizations such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron,” said Doug Leavell, Coast Guard District Eleven Recreational Boating Safety Specialist. “Before you share the waterways, learn your responsibilities toward others on the water. Learn before you go out.”New for 2022 is the focus on educating mariners on the new labeling of personal flotation devices (PFD). PFDs will no longer be labeled type one through five, but instead will be labeled with performance level, turn ability, and warnings. These new labels do not make any previously labeled lifejackets obsolete. More information on this topic can be found at New Life Jacket Labels – Safe Boating Campaign.Additionally, as of April 20, 2021, regulation for disposable fire extinguishers mandates a 12-year expiration date from the date of manufacture. Boaters can find the manufacture date stamped into the bottom of the bottle or near the Underwriter Laboratory (UL) label. More information on this topic can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/10/22/2021-22578/fire-protection-for-recreational-vessels.Last year brought new legislation that went into effect April 1, 2021, requiring the use of engine cut-off switches. This legislation is now enforceable and may result in a fine for failure to meet requirements. More information on this topic can be found at https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-devices.php.The Coast Guard recommends mariners heed the following safety tips below to help ensure their safety while on the water:

Additionally, beachgoers throughout California need to be aware of the dangers along the coast such as cold water, dangerous surf, sneaker waves and rip currents. California has seen a recent spike in the number of deaths due to sneaker waves over the past year. It is recommended that beachgoers look at the surf report to identify hazardous water conditions before visiting beaches.