ALCOAST 198/23 - MAY 2023 NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK

R 171835Z MAY 23 MID120000090806U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 198/23
SSIC 16210
SUBJ: NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
A. Recreational Boating Statistics, COMDTPUB P16754.35
B. Elijah Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, Section
8316
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 221827 MAR 21/ACN 030/21
D. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 141452Z JAN 22/ACN 002/22
E. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 051516Z APR 23/ALCOAST 138/23
1. National Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day is Friday, 19 May, and
National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) is Saturday, 20 May, through
Friday, 26 May. The six most important things you can do:
    a. Wear a life jacket,
    b. Educate yourself through knowledge and skills-based training,
    c. Wear your engine cut-off switch link,
    d. Abstain from using alcohol while underway,
    e. Register your Beacon, and
    f. Get a free vessel safety check from the USCG Auxiliary at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.cgaux.org/vsc/

2. Since 1958, the President has proclaimed the week prior to
Memorial Day weekend as NSBW. Boating remains a highly popular,
relatively safe, and memory-creating form of outdoor recreation.
Preventing loss of life and damage is nonetheless a goal we all
share, and I ask you to take precautions and encourage others to
do so to make boating as safe as possible. COMDT (CG-BSX) works
extensively with the States and the recreational boating safety
community on efforts to encourage model boating behavior.
Please visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.uscgboating.org

to become more familiar with these efforts.
3. Per REF (A), 81% of boating fatalities were drownings, and 83%
of those were victims that were not wearing life jackets. Please
encourage and incentivize life jacket wear (2022 statistics
will be released in June). Just like seatbelt wear, you never know
when you will need it, but when you do, it's critical. Most states
require life jacket wear by children. For adults, an inflatable life
jacket is not cumbersome and easy to don. REF (A), the 2021
Recreational Boating Statistics, may be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_statistics.php

4. Boater Education makes a difference. Our statistics show that 75%
of fatalities occurred on boats where the operator did not receive
safety instruction. Applicable state boating education requirements
may be found by visiting the state boating law section at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws.php

5. Wearing an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) link became a requirement
when REF (B) modified 46 U.S.C. Section 4312. If the vessel has an
ECOS link, the operator most likely must wear it. REF (C) provides
specific circumstances when ECOS link wear is required and our
enforcement posture when the ECOS link is not worn. Additional
information may be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-
devices.php

6. New fire extinguisher regulations for recreational vessels took
effect on April 20, 2022, REF (D). These regulations do not change
the number of fire extinguishers required onboard. Per these
regulations, owners of recreational vessels are now relieved from
certain inspection, maintenance, and record keeping requirements.
A series of frequently asked questions and supporting information
may be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/fire-extinguisher-
faq.php

7. Alcohol consumption remains the single greatest contributing
factor in recreational boating fatalities. Last year, 16% of
deaths involved alcohol, and we believe these numbers are
underreporting this problem. Please encourage sober boating on our
Nation's waters. Per REF (E), if you are an operational unit,
please participate in Operation Dry Water (ODW) during the 4th of
July holiday weekend.
8. Get a vessel safety check at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.cgaux.org/vsc/

Again, please ensure that boaters know what safety requirements
their boat must meet.
9. During National Safe Boating Week, all Coast Guard units and
commands are encouraged to participate in activities and special
events that highlight safe boating. Units are encouraged to
collaborate with their District Recreational Boating Safety
Specialists, while planning National Safe Boating Week public
outreach strategies and events such as Sector and Station open
houses, and Auxiliary involvement.
10. POC: Tom Dardis, COMDT (CG-BSX-2) at: (202) 372-1063 or
Thomas.J.Dardis@uscg.mil.
11. RDML Wayne R. Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy
(CG-5P), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.