National Safe Boating Week runs May 22–28, 2027, kicking off boating season with one message above all: wear a life jacket.
Right Before Memorial Day
Every year, Saturday through Friday, ending just before Memorial Day weekend. It ran May 16 to 22 in 2026, and 2027 is set for May 22 to 28.
The National Safe Boating Council runs it as the start of its year-round Safe Boating Campaign. Its founding year is undocumented in the council’s materials.
A Campaign Kickoff
Each year it opens a global awareness effort that runs through the boating season. State agencies such as Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commission join in with classes and events.
Pennsylvania’s 2026 lineup, for example, included basic boating courses and kayaking lessons across several state parks.
A fun warm-up comes first. On Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day, the Friday before, people post photos in life jackets at their desks.
Why Life Jackets Matter
Drowning causes most boating deaths. In 2023, it was the reported cause in three out of four recreational boating fatalities.
Of those who drowned, 87% weren’t wearing life jackets, Coast Guard data show.
Deaths fell in 2024 to 556, the lowest in more than five decades, down from 564 the year before.
Over decades, the death rate tells the story. It was 4.8 per 100,000 registered boats in 2024, compared with 20.6 in 1971.
Most crashes have human causes. The Coast Guard’s top factors were operator inattention, improper lookout, inexperience, machinery failure and navigation rule violations.
Paddleboards carry special risk. On standup paddleboards, drowning caused three-quarters of deaths in 2024.
Free courses are easy to find, including online classes through Boat On Course, which the council promotes.
Training helps. About 70% of 2024 deaths happened on boats whose operators had no safety instruction.
Alcohol was the leading known factor, tied to 92 deaths. “Boating under the influence is not only illegal but it is also dangerous,” said the Coast Guard’s Capt. Robert Compher.
How to Boat Safely
- Wear a properly fitted life jacket every time you’re on the water.
- Take a boating safety course, including free online options.
- Skip alcohol when you’re running a boat.
- Check the weather and tell someone your plans before you head out.
- Keep a sharp lookout and stay alert at the helm, since inattention tops the crash list.
- Join Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day and post a photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Safe Boating Week an official holiday?
No. A nonprofit council runs it with state boating agencies.
How much property damage do boating incidents cause?
About $88 million, in the Coast Guard’s latest estimate.
Does it cover paddlers too?
Yes. Kayakers and paddleboarders are a big focus.