NOAA and National Safe Boating Council Celebrate 25 Years of Partnership with Annual National Safe Boating Week

This year marks the 25th year the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service have partnered for National Safe Boating Week. This year’s National Safe Boating Week will take place May 18-24, 2024. Held annually the week before Memorial Day as part of NSBC’s Safe Boating Campaign, the event helps create global awareness around safe and responsible boating.

“Understanding how to interpret a weather forecast, including air and water temperatures, sustained wind speeds and gusts, advisories, storms, fronts, and much more is critical to ensuring a safe and responsible boating experience,” says Peg Phillips, executive director of the NSBC.

In 2022, there were over 405 total weather and hazardous water-related accidents, resulting in 92 fatalities and 152 injuries, reports the U.S. Coast Guard,  

“Know before you go…boating! Stay safe by checking current and expected weather conditions from the National Weather Service before going out on the water. It’s not a place to get caught in a storm,” adds Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “Click on weather.gov before and during your trip, and have a NOAA Weather Radio on board to keep alert to changing conditions.”

Boaters are advised to carry two communications devices with them when on the water, including satellite phones, emergency position indicating radio beacons, VHF radios and personal locator beacons. You can also tune into the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) on a VHF radio to keep track of weather conditions.

To learn more, visit safeboatingcampaign.com and weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week.