SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Florida Fish & Wildlife wants to remind all boaters that May 18 through May 24 marks National Safe Boating Week.

This week kicks off the summer boating season as an annual reminder for boaters to prioritize safety while enjoying recreational activities on Florida’s beautiful waterways.

In 2023, there were 659 boating accidents and almost 30% of those accidents involved a collision with a fixed object. FWC encourages boaters to pay attention and maintain 360 degree awareness at all times.

Over 80% of operators involved in fatal boating accidents in 2023 had no formal boater education. For a summary of Florida’s regulations and available courses, visit: MyFWC.com/Boating.

Among other tips found at MyFWC.com/Boating, boaters are encouraged to find and wear a comfortable U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while on the water. According to 2023 FWC boating accident statistics, approximately 50% of the boating deaths were due to drowning. Events can cause a boater to end up in the water unexpectedly, and a person will not have time to grab their life jacket before they find themselves in the water.
Boaters should also educate themselves on the dangers of impaired boating. Alcohol and drugs can impair a boater’s judgement, reaction time and overall ability to operate a boat safely.

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