U.S. Coast guard
The U.S. Coast Guard is asking all boat owners and operators to help reduce fatalities, injuries, property damage, and associated healthcare costs related to recreational boating accidents by taking personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their passengers. Essential steps include: wearing a life jacket at all times and requiring passengers to do the same; never boating under the influence (BUI); successfully completing a boating safety course; and getting a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) annually from local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadrons(r), or your state boating agency's Vessel Examiners. The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters to "Boat Responsibly!" For more tips on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.
The U.S. Coast Guard would like to remind you to share boating safety with your guests.
Among others, this includes the importance of:
Always wearing life jackets
Using an engine cutoff device
Avoiding impairment while operating a boat
Always have a proper lookout
Understanding changing weather conditions
Getting a free vessel safety check
Knowing the rules of the road, navigation
www.uscgboating.org.
Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it's tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket especially on nice days. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air.
There's no excuse not to wear a life jacket on the water!
How to Choose the Right Life Jacket Brochure - PDF