ALCOAST 218/25 - MAY 2025 NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK

R 131730Z MAY 25 MID120001931012U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 218/25
SSIC 16210
SUBJ: NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
A. Recreational Boating Statistics, COMDTPUB P16754.37
B. Elijah Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020,
Section 8316
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 291558Z APR 25/ALCOAST 202/25
1. National Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day is Friday, 16 May, and
National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) is Saturday, 17 May, through
Friday, 23 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 week prior to Memorial Day weekend has
been designated 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.
To become more familiar with these efforts please visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.uscgboating.org

3. Per REF (A), 75% of boating fatalities were drownings, and 87%
of those were victims that were not wearing life jackets. Please
encourage and incentivize life jacket wear (2024 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 2023
Recreational Boating Statistics, may be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscgboating.org/statistics/

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
in most situations when REF (B) modified 46 U.S.C. Section 4312.
Specific circumstances when ECOS link wear is required,
frequently asked questions, and supporting 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. 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, 17% of
deaths involved alcohol. We believe these numbers may be under
reported, since data from NHTSA on alcohol involvement in motor
vehicle deaths is higher. Please encourage sober boating on our
Nation's waters. Per REF (C), if you are an operational unit,
please participate in Operation Dry Water (ODW) which takes place
July 4-6.
8. 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.
9. POC: Tom Dardis, COMDT (CG-BSX-2) at: (571) 607-7393 or
Thomas.J.Dardis@uscg.mil.
10. RADM Wayne R. Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy (CG-5P), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.