Safe Boating Campaign

Safe boating works best when it is built together! Share your experience, help strengthen the campaign, and be part of creating safer days on the water for everyone.

Take the 2026 Boating Participation Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026-Boating-Participation-Survey

Bonus: After completing the survey, you will be entered for a chance to win boating swag from the campaign!

We’re grateful to see trusted voices like The New York Times Wirecutter helping families make informed choices about kids’ life jackets.

A properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket can make all the difference - but only if it’s worn. As you plan your next family boating day, take a few minutes to check that each child has the right life jacket for their current size, that all straps and buckles are secure, and that everyone puts it on before leaving the dock.

Safe boating is built on simple habits. Wear your life jacket for yourself and for the generations that come after you.

Read the guide: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-life-jackets/

Safe Boating Campaign |

More millennials and Gen Z are choosing sober or sober-curious lifestyles - and honestly, we’re here for it.

Because when it comes to boating, sober is always the safest choice.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol use remains the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents, listed as the leading factor in 20% of deaths.

So this summer, bring the snacks, the sunscreen, the playlist, and your best people - but leave alcohol out of the operator’s seat.

Have fun. Stay safe. Keep others safe. ✌️

National Safe Boating Council |

Sun’s out, fun’s out - but don’t forget your boat day basics! ☀️🚤

Before you head out on the water, pack your SPF and your water bottle. Water can reflect the sun’s rays, which means your skin may be getting more sun than you think. And here’s the good news: skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, so a few simple habits go a long way.

Boat day checklist:

🕶️ Wear broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
☀️ Reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating
🕶️ Sip water throughout the day — don’t wait until you’re thirsty
☀️ Add a hat, sunglasses, or lightweight cover-up
🕶️ Don’t forget easy-to-miss spots like ears, lips, neck, hands, and tops of feet

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and enjoy every sunny minute on the water. 🌊

Our Safe Boating Campaign Box is PACKED with fun outreach swag to help you spread the word in your community. Think dry bags, stickers, button pins, wristbands, and more - perfect for events, classrooms, marinas, boating clubs, and anyone who loves sharing the safe boating message.

Get your box today - because boating safety looks good on everyone. 😎🌊

👉 Grab yours: https://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/product/safe-boating-campaign-box/

July is Sun Safe Boating Month, and it’s also a time to remember that the safest boaters are sober boaters. Before you head out, pack the sunscreen, bring plenty of water, wear your life jacket, and always boat sober. ☀️ 🕶️

Operation Dry Water reminds us: safe boating means sober boating. Protect yourself from the sun and protect everyone on the water by never boating under the influence.

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators | National Safe Boating Council

🇺🇸 America is turning 250! 🇺🇸 This Independence Day weekend, make safety part of your adventure.

In partnership with Operation Dry Water, July 3–5, 2026, we’re reminding everyone to boat sober, wear a life jacket, and make responsible choices on the water.

Alcohol and drug use can impair judgment, balance, coordination, and reaction time, putting operators, passengers, and others at risk. Before you leave the dock, designate a sober operator and help ensure everyone gets home safely.

Adventure is calling. Remember to boat sober.

National Safe Boating Council | National Association of State Boating Law Administrators |