Media

Launch a Rental Boat, While on Vacation – Sea Tow Foundation

For most boaters, it wouldn’t be a true vacation without spending some time on the water. Fortunately, taking the helm of a rental boat or being part of a boat club is an easy and often an affordable option for you and your family.

How New Technologies and Boater Education Are Saving Lives

As pandemic conditions generated a surge of 415,000 first-time boat buyers in 2020, a 35% increase, recently released U.S. Coast Guard figures indicate a 26% increase in boating accidents, 25% increase in injuries and 25% increase in boating fatalities during the same time period.

WSF Executive Director Jim Emmons Statement Regarding New 2020 USCG Statistics Report

WSF Executive Director Jim Emmons believes that the new 2020 report and statistics are sobering and uphold the long-standing message that the Water Sports Foundation has proffered for years: “Get skills training before you take a boat or paddle craft out on the water.”

2020 Recreational Boating Statistics - Published June 2021

Recreational Boating Statistics 2020

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. Recreational Boating Statistics 2020 was released on June 30, 2021. New reports are published in early summer using certified data from the previous year.

U.S. Coast Guard Releases 2020 Boating Safety Statistics Report

The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report Wednesday, revealing that there were 767 boating fatalities nationwide in 2020, a 25.1 percent increase from 2019.

Deaths by Vessel Type by Year, including Canoe, Kayak & SUP, 2011-2020

Table showing deaths by vessel type, by year, from 2011 through 2020, including canoe, kayak and SUP.

Don’t Let Alcohol Crash America’s Birthday Celebration On the Water

Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

NauticEd Reports Sailing Charter Vacation Bookings and Education Enrollments Are Soaring

As consumer travel surges ahead on a tide of pent-up demand, NauticEd has reported an increase in vacation yacht bookings almost 10 times greater than 2020 and 38% greater than pre-COVID years.

Top Boating Tips to Safely Navigate Busy Fourth of July Festivities Including Fireworks Shows, Group Raft-Ups

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.

Top Boating Tips to Safely Navigate Busy Fourth of July Festivities Including Fireworks Shows, Group Raft-Ups

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 barbecues and cap off festivities with spectacular fireworks celebrations.

Boating Industry Insider Podcast Talks About National Safe Boating Week with Jim Emmons

Joining Boating Industry content director David Gee in this episode is Jim Emmons to discuss the latest boating safety statistics, the impact on boating safety with a rise in the number of first-time boaters, and the part the entire boating industry can play when it comes to boating safety education.

12 Top Boating Safety Tips for the Busy Summer Boating Season

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 practices in advance of the busy summer boating season.

All About Engine Cut-Off Switches: The $20 Device that Saves Boater’s Lives Is Now Required By Federal Law

An engine cut-off switch is one of the most essential boating safety devices. Also called a “safety lanyard” or “engine kill switch,” it’s designed to shut off a boat’s engine if the operator is thrown from the helm.

A Beginner’s Guide to Safer Paddling: 8 Tips for Success

Paddling is one of the fastest growing segments of the recreational and outdoor market. With easy access to water throughout the country and a plethora of affordable kayaks, paddleboards and canoes on the market, most anyone can set off on a wonderful adventure and enjoy the benefits of life on the water and the great outdoors.

Family Fishing Photos

These photos show family members enjoying fishing from a boat, while wearing properly-fitting life jackets.

Water Sports Foundation Media Fact Sheet: Boating Safety

Information curated from multiple boating safety stakeholders using most recently published 2019 U.S. Coast Guard Data

12 Top Boating Safety Tips for the Busy Memorial Day Weekend…and Beyond

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

12 consejos para navegar de manera segura el fin de semana del Día de los Caídos … y más (12 Tips for Holiday Boating Safety – Spanish Version)

Con las ventas de barcos nuevos y usados en niveles récord para los compradores de primera vez, organizaciones líderes en la seguridad de la navegación lanzaron una campaña en español con recomendaciones prácticas de seguridad antes de las ajetreadas vacaciones del Día de los Caídos y el inicio de la temporada de navegación de verano.