This week (May 16 – 22) is National Safe Boating Week and the ASA encourages active sailors to take it to heart. As the season enters prime time it’s good to be reminded that there is a major safety component in the context of this sport. In all the fun, it’s possible to overlook safe practices.
Of course the big one is to wear a life jacket. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, where the cause of death was known, 78 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned; of those drowning victims, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket. That is an incredible stat. Sounds like it’s a great idea to wear life jacket – don’t even think about sailing solo without one..