May 19, 2020

Annual educational event carries additional message in 2020

Keeping boaters safe all summer long is the focus of National Safe Boating Week.

*Special Notice:
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, in Canada, all Events revolving around Safe Boating Awareness Week for the 2020 season have currently been postponed.

May 16th-22nd, 2020
The 2020 North American Safe Boating Awareness Week Campaign is ramping up for this year’s boating season. Since 1995, this campaign has been the mainstay of boating safety outreach to the over 16 million people who recreate on Canadian waters each season. The 2020 campaign will be no exception as the Canadian Safe Boating Council continues to strive to engrain safe and responsible boating practices as second nature on the water.

The purpose of Safe Boating Awareness Week is to provide boaters some key reminders that will help to keep them safe on the water throughout the season.

At the core of the 2020 campaign are the 5 key messages that we have been consistently delivering to the boating community.

• Wear a PFD or Lifejacket
• Boat Sober
• Take a Boating Course
• Be Prepared, Both You and Your Vessel
• Be Wary of the Dangers of Cold Water Immersion
 

Boat Sober Focus
The legalization of cannabis is causing concern for boating safety advocate groups, enforcement agencies and first responders alike. Alcohol has been proven to be a contributing factor in approximately 40% of all boating fatalities across Canada. The legalization of recreational cannabis has the potential to significantly increase this statistic. In response to this, at each of our launches, there will be media conferences put on by local and regional police to discuss and emphasize the importance of not consuming ANY alcohol or drugs either before or while boating.

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 (https://csbc.ca/en/safe-boating-awareness-week ) are 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 John Gullick (past_chair@csbc.ca ) to arrange.

North American Safe Boating Awareness Week, which begins this Saturday, May 16, and runs through Friday, May 22, is a coordinated North America-wide campaign to help recreational boaters embrace safety all season long.

However, the important message urging life jacket wear is now joined by an equally important boating safety message — how to stay safe during the time of COVID-19.

“While we’re learning new things about the virus almost every day, we don’t anticipate additional safety challenges on the water this year,” said BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water President Chris Edmonston. “We have a responsibility to look out for all of us sharing a launch ramp, marina or boat club dock as well as those assigned to keep us safe on the water or entrusted with the care and maintenance of our boats.”

The BoatUS Foundation offers this guidance for boaters where boating is permitted:

Do everything you can to social distance: Boats should maintain a 50-foot separation on the water and not raft up; wash your hands and/or use sanitizer frequently; and pack all essentials.

Have fun but stay safe this year!