SAFETY TRAINING FIRST, FUN HAVING SECOND
Recreational boating is booming, especially human-powered boating (paddle board, kayak and canoe). The best way to keep the fun high and the accident and injury rates low is to take safety training.

75% OF DEATHS OCCURRED ON BOATS WHERE THE OPERATOR DID NOT RECEIVE BOATING SAFETY INSTRUCTION.*
PROBLEM
We’re boaters, we just want to get out there and enjoy our time on the water! We often get comfortable with the way things are and don’t challenge ourselves to be better. You probably drive your car every day, encountering different situations that ultimately make you a better driver. You don’t skipper your boat every day. (If you do, we want your life.)
No matter how seasoned your boating skills are or if you are new to the water, formal education is the best way to stay safe on the water.
Lead by example and stay on top of our skippering skills.
“If a boater has taken a boating safety education course, the likelihood of their time spent on the water being a safe and enjoyable experience is much greater, for them and their passengers …”
– Tom Guess, president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
SOLUTION
Most states require basic boating knowledge education, from organizations like America’s Boating Club, sadly, not all states require formal boating education or a boating license.
As you advocated for boating safety, talk with boaters about the importance of boating navigation rules, regulations, equipment and safe practices. These measures have proven effective at reducing accident and damage rates. Many classes are now offered online to help keep boaters educated, safe and a responsible.
We also want to remind everyone about boating courses that go beyond the basics, like hands-on training, advanced-level navigation, engine maintenance, how to better understand the water and many others than can greatly improve your cap’n capabilities.
We all need to recognize the importance of education and encourage our fellow boaters to take courses in and out of the water. Because at the end of the day, the overriding, most important, bottom line of Boat Live 365 is “Boating is Serious Fun,” and we need to spread the word.
Boating is serious fun. We’ve provided a variety of advocate tools and outreach methods, choose what works best for you and your community.
- Visit spread the word for easy outreach through personal social media outlets and boating forums.
- Provide year-round education on all boating safety topics – download pamphlets, flyers, banners, and posters. Great event materials. Search by topic in the resource section.
- Download our marketing playbook, an advocates dream resource for creating change. Find it under the Boat Live 365 topic in our resource section.
- Don’t know where to start? Contact us. We’re happy to help.
*U.S. Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics Report, 2021
Events
The International Boating and Water Safety Summit is the premier event for training, education, awareness and of course networking for professionals, volunteers, and anyone involved in boating and water safety. #IBWSS23
Beacon Awareness Day is always April 6, do you know why? April 6th, or 4-06, represents the 406 MHz beacon technology used by rescue teams around the world to save lives. Share this fact and all of Boat Live 365 safety tips. #406Day
Visit our resource library for downloads, event materials, tips and ideas on how to create a safe boating culture 365 days a year.
Safety training is for the entire family. America’s Boating Club has a wide variety of learning opportunities in-person and online. Now is the time to get your safety training done because boating is serious fun!

To truly spread the Boat Live 365 message, please make a concerted effort to discuss and promote all of the “Serious Fun Topics” together, all year long.