Safe Boating Awareness Week
Safe Boating Awareness Week 2023 – Coast to Coast gives you the opportunity to access safe boating messages from people and agencies with a vested interest in boating safety from one end of the country to the other.
Download messages for education or media use or sharing on social media. You can also reach out to our representatives at the contact information given, for more on safe boating in Canada.
As well, you’ll find more great boat safety information at BetterBoater.ca or STARTBoating.ca
May 20 – 26, 2023 – North American Safe Boating Awareness Week
North American Safe Boating Awareness Week will take place across Canada from May 20th to May 26th, 2023. The purpose of this initiative, managed by the CSBC (Canadian Safe Boating Council) and its partners, is to promote safe and responsible boating practices.
In Canada, 16 million people enjoy recreational boating. That number is going up, some say by large double-digit percentage increases (20, 30 even 40 %), driven the past and this coming year by Covid-19. Social distancing and restricted travel have been keeping people closer to home. Marine dealers across North America have reported empty shelves of boating safety gear and exhausted inventories of new and used boats as many people new to boating have made purchases and are taking to the water for the first time.
Although this ‘new’ to boating group has made boating safety information more critical than ever before, prior to COVID, boating safety was still an important communication by boating safety educators and advocates to make boaters more aware of their roles and responsibilities to themselves, their passengers, other boaters and those on shore.
There are five key boating safety messages directed towards the most common boating related accidents. They include:
1. Wear a lifejacket2. Boat sober.
3. Be prepared. Both you and your boat.
4. Take a boating course
5. Be aware of cold water risks.
As well, you’ll find more great boat safety information at BetterBoater.ca or STARTBoating.ca
To help deliver these messages, the CSBC has reached out to boat and water safety groups and agencies.
“We know time spent outside is good for us. With a variety of shutdowns in place due to Covid, there’s a surge in outdoor activities, paddling included.”
– Michelle McShane, Executive Director – Paddle Canada
“We know time spent outside is good for us. With a variety of shutdowns in place due to Covid, there’s a surge in outdoor activities, paddling included.”
– Michelle McShane, Executive Director – Paddle Canada
“When people think about driving impaired they think about a car on the road. But operating a boat while impaired is just as dangerous and illegal.”
– Jaymie-Lyne Hancock, President – MADD Canada
“When people think about driving impaired they think about a car on the road. But operating a boat while impaired is just as dangerous and illegal.”
– Jaymie-Lyne Hancock, President – MADD Canada
“From powerboats, to sailboats, to paddle craft, we know Canada’s waterways will be busy. It’s important for Canadian boaters to know the rules of the road, who has the right of way, and how to be self-sufficient with the right equipment aboard in case something should happen.”
– Stephanie Rankine, Canadian Safe Boating Council.
“From powerboats, to sailboats, to paddle craft, we know Canada’s waterways will be busy. It’s important for Canadian boaters to know the rules of the road, who has the right of way, and how to be self-sufficient with the right equipment aboard in case something should happen.”
– Stephanie Rankine, Canadian Safe Boating Council.
Media
The media continues to be the key platform for disseminating boating safety messaging to those who will head out on Canadian waterways in their powerboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and personal watercraft this season. Available on the CSBC website is a variety of readily usable press releases as well as downloadable print, radio and television PSAs to interest your listeners, viewers and readers. For interview purposes, we can also provide access to local volunteers. Simply contact Ian Gilson to arrange.
For more information relating to Safe Boating Awareness Week, please e-mail sbaw@csbc.ca.
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Let the Weather To Boat app help you this season.
This free App from the CSBC will be your one stop shop for boating. In addition to up-to-date marine and local weather forecasts, it also provides lots of information that will help you enjoy your boating experience even more. File an electronic trip plan with emergency contact alerting, check on the safety equipment required for your vessel, enhance your boating knowledge with boating safety tips and videos, find geo-referenced marinas and boat launches close to you and much more. Let the new Weather to Boat App help you decide whether to boat and keep tabs on the weather while you are out.
DOWNLOAD HERE!