Started on Saturday and runs from May 20-26, 2023. 

This observance week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign,

a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible.

With the number of boating accident and loss of life threads seen on this forum alone the past year, 

tragically it seems like the numbers are heading in the wrong direction.

Here's to a safe boating season.

A-Jay

Good information. No matter how much time someone has spent on the water it's always a good to get a little refresher!

The number of boaters that were not wearing a PFD when I was out on Lake Minnetonka in early May was absolutely appalling.  I saw way more not wearing one than people who were actually wearing one.  The problem is that state law only says it has to be "accessible" and you do not have to wear it.  Until that is changed, I believe that most boaters will not be wearing them.  And the water temp was about 50 degrees then too.

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

The number of boaters that were not wearing a PFD when I was out on Lake Minnetonka in early May was absolutely appalling.  I saw way more not wearing one than people who were actually wearing one.  The problem is that state law only says it has to be "accessible" and you do not have to wear it.  Until that is changed, I believe that most boaters will not be wearing them.  And the water temp was about 50 degrees then too.

I was on Philpott lake recently in VA for a week and noticed the same thing.

It's a simple and effective piece of equipment that should be madatory. Imo

I can’t say I see many people on the susky wearing them. Even in kayaks. I always wear mine while under power. I take it off while fishing.

56 minutes ago, Bird said:

It's a simple and effective piece of equipment that should be madatory. Imo

That's what its going to take for people to wear them.  Just like seat belts.

 

Until that occurs, nothing is going to change.  I wear mine while on plane just like @Darnold335 indicated and take it off while fishing.  My kill switch is attached to the PFD while underway.

 

Most kayakers I see are wearing them.  Paddle boarders do not wear or have them and they are therefore illegal but there is minimal enforcement going on so nothing happens to them.  The water has been too cold for yaks and paddle boards thus far but that will change in the coming weeks here.

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

My kill switch is attached to the PFD while underway.

Mine as well. Makes it nice and easy.

Just a note on this topic. In New York State, you have to wear a lifejacket AT ALL TIMES while boating from November 1 to May 1. The rest of the time it is up to you whether or not you wear one. Children age 10 or under must wear a lifejacket at ALL times. 

On topic kind of.

@A-Jay What is/are the reason(s) RIB boats are used by military and law enforcement? 

They are light, fast, maneuverable, stable, durable, easy to maintain and cheap.

A-Jay

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

They are light, fast, maneuverable, stable, durable, easy to maintain and cheap.

A-Jay

Don't know about cheap, but the rest is right on !!

Unfortunately, todays society believes bad things only happen to other people !!  Just ask some of these newer boaters and they will tell you " I dont need to wear those because I dont do stupid things".......

49 minutes ago, airshot said:

I dont need to wear those because I dont do stupid things".......

There-fore proving that they are stupid.

 

I wear mine from launch to landing - carryover from the canoe...ECOS attached to my PFD, so when I'm not at the motor, it can't run.

 

Other gear

Horn - hand-held

Extinguisher - yep

Paddle - yep

Med-Kit - yep

Tossable - yep

8 hours ago, airshot said:

Don't know about cheap, but the rest is right on !!

Unfortunately, todays society believes bad things only happen to other people !!  Just ask some of these newer boaters and they will tell you " I dont need to wear those because I dont do stupid things".......

Third lowest bidder cheap ~

A-Jay