As National Safe Boating Week approaches, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is launching a statewide campaign to promote safe practices on the water ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend.
The campaign aims to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by focusing on education, enforcement, and community engagement across Alabama’s waterways.
Recreational boating continues to be a popular activity nationwide, with over 100 million Americans taking to the water each year. However, this increase in activity also brings safety concerns.
On average, 650 people die annually in boating-related accidents in the United States, with 75 percent of those deaths caused by drowning. ALEA’s initiative is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about common causes of boating accidents and encourage preventive measures.
Most boating accidents are attributed to human error or poor judgment, rather than equipment malfunction or environmental conditions. In many of these cases, simple precautions could have made a difference.
Boaters are encouraged to take the following safety steps:
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Wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. A stowed life jacket is not effective in an emergency. Alabama law requires children under 8 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
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Take a boating safety course to gain essential knowledge and on-water experience.
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Check all equipment to ensure it is present, working properly, and in good condition.
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Make a float plan by letting someone on shore know your itinerary, including boat details and passenger information.
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Use an engine cut-off switch as required by law. This device can prevent serious injury if the operator is thrown overboard.
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Watch the weather by checking forecasts before departure and monitoring conditions while on the water.
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Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Operator inattention is a leading cause of boating accidents.
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Know the area and follow posted speed limits and local waterway rules.
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Never boat under the influence. Boating under the influence (BUI) is a factor in roughly one-third of all recreational boating fatalities.
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Keep in touch by bringing multiple waterproof communication devices, such as a VHF radio, satellite phone, or emergency locator beacon.
National Safe Boating Week, observed May 17–23, is a nationwide initiative supported by the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe Boating Council, and local agencies. ALEA’s campaign serves as a timely reminder for Alabama residents and visitors to take simple, proactive steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water this summer.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
