Author: Jeff Moag
WSF Applauds DICK’S Paddling Safety Initiative
Retailer joins nonprofits and state agencies to promote kayaking and paddleboarding safety ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, October 22, 2024 — The Water Sports Foundation, a recreational boating safety advocacy group, is coordinating a paddling safety effort including state agencies, nonprofits and retailer DICK’S Sporting Goods. The initiative seeks to engage large sporting goods chains and warehouse […]
Read MoreStriper Hunt Nearly Turns Deadly For Kayak Angler
Ambrose Salmini was going through a rough patch in April 2022 and like many of us he took comfort in fishing. But that wasn’t going well either. “It was five days in a row and I did not even have a bite. I can’t really explain how strong that urge to catch a fish was,” […]
Read MoreBoater’s High-Speed Ejection and Survival Swim
‘What are the odds?’ asks Jack Doty after miracle rescue from freezing lake After a close call in the frigid waters of Minnesota’s Lake Minnetonka, Jack Doty is urging fellow boaters to avoid the mistakes that nearly cost him his life. This month the lifelong boater shared his cautionary tale on The Qualified Captain podcast. […]
Read MoreOne-In-A-Million Ghost Boat Rescue
The quick thinking and extraordinary luck that brought a North Carolina fisherman back from the brink. Andrew Sherman and his son Jack were fishing 37 miles off the North Carolina coast when they spotted a boat coming straight at them. Andrew directed a few choice words toward the 23-foot Parker cuddy cabin rumbling along on […]
Read MoreWhen A Life Jacket Is Not a Life Jacket
Ordering a kid’s life jacket online is no guarantee you’ll get a U.S. Coast Guard approved device that will protect your child Looking forward to another season of boating with her young family, Allie Wojciak went online and bought a new life jacket for her son. At least, she thought she did. Wojciak typed “toddler […]
Read MoreACA’s Largest-Ever Training Event
On May 18, in what may have been the largest ACA led safety training event in ACA history, the ACA Regional Activity Council rallied the paddlesports community across seven states to train 471 people in one day to kick off National Safe Boating Week. This year marked a significant expansion of an already successful volunteer-led […]
Read MoreRecreational Boating Statistics 2023
An annual compilation of recreational boating statistics in the United States, compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard using data supplied by the U.S. states and territories.
Read MoreRecord Decline In Boating Fatalities Has Glaring Exception
ORLANDO, FL – The Coast Guard last week reported the largest year-over-year drop in recreational boating fatalities in more than a decade, but that encouraging news was tempered by an increase in paddling deaths. According to the agency’s Recreational Boating Safety Statistics for 2023, overall boating fatalities fell a whopping 11.3 percent, from 636 in […]
Read MoreRecreational Boating Statistics 2022
An annual compilation of recreational boating statistics in the United States, compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard using data supplied by the U.S. states and territories.
Read MoreStay Safe On Your Next Paddling Adventure
Paddling is a fun and safe activity, especially if you pay attention to these common-sense rules — always wear a life jacket, don’t paddle alone, dress for water temperature and don’t mix alcohol and paddling.
Read MoreBargain Kayak (Remember a Life Jacket!)
If you go to the box store for paper towels and end up with a kayak, make sure you also pick up a life jacket. Because nobody wants to pull a Brad.
Read MoreLearn to Get Back On Your Kayak BEFORE You Flip
Getting back on your sit-on-top kayak isn’t that hard – if you know how. That’s why it’s a great idea to take a paddling safety class BEFORE you flip.
Read MoreDon’t Forget the Leash and Lifejacket
You can pick up a new SUP anywhere these days, but you can’t buy common sense. Always remember to wear your life jacket and leash when you paddle your standup paddleboard. And if your honey asked you to get TP at the Big Box, don’t forget that either.
Read MoreScott Szczepaniak
Recreational Boating Safety Specialist, US Coast Guard District 7, Miami, FL Cell: 843-327-9655 Office: 206-815-0598 Email: Scott.J.Szczepaniak@uscg.mil Scott Szczepaniak is the Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the Seventh Coast Guard District, which includes South Carolina, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Scott has been involved in aquatic and maritime safety his entire […]
Read MoreHeroic Boating Rescue
Sgt. Brian Parkton knew the situation could turn bad in a heartbeat. The veteran marine patrol officer was responding to reports of a boat in trouble with nine people, including three children, still on board. The 21-foot open motorboat had filled with water and lost power at the mouth of Destin Pass, a northwest Florida […]
Read MoreLifeline
Adrift on a capsized boat 16 miles offshore, a palm-sized personal locator beacon was their best last chance. By Jeff Moag The situation went bad in a hurry. Tan Boriboune joined a group of five friends for a day of spearfishing off Virginia Beach on August 16, 2020. A heavy swell was running that Sunday […]
Read MoreThe Rest of the Story
What happened after this viral smash-up at the mouth of the Columbia is just as scary as the crash itself. By Jeff Moag If you’ve been on the Internet in the last four years, you’ve probably seen the video. It starts with three salmon fishermen waving and shouting as a 31-foot powerboat bears down on […]
Read MoreHoliday Boating Tips
Throughout the country, boaters are expected to cruise to popular gathering spots this Fourth of July weekend with friends and family, with plans to raft up, drop anchor and swim, enjoy barbeques and cap off festivities with spectacular fireworks celebrations.
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