The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Weather Service have teamed up to promote new weather and boating safety public service announcements during National Safe Boating Week, held May 19-25, 2018. The goal of these PSAs is to ensure that Americans have a fun and safe time on the water this summer.
“We believe that wearing a life jacket is the simplest way to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones while enjoying a day on the water,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council and lead organization for the Safe Boating Campaign. National Safe Boating Week is the official kick-off of the annual Safe Boating Campaign, now in its 60th year.
The NSBC and NOAA’s National Weather Service have partnered since 2000 to share public service announcements throughout National Safe Boating Week. This year’s topics include: life jacket wear; fire extinguishers; boating under the influence; Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs); thunderstorm safety; hurricane preparedness for boaters; and marine forecasts.
The public service announcements and additional boating safety information can be found at www.weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week and www.safeboatingcampaign.com/resources.
“Boaters should always check the forecast before leaving the shore as the weather can change quickly,” said Darren Wright, national marine program lead, NOAA’s National Weather Service. “It’s also important to listen to NOAA Weather Radio to get forecast updates and alerts while on the water because strong winds, waves, lightning and excessive heat can be very dangerous to boaters.”
NSBC and NOAA will collaborate with other boating safety groups and organizations to encourage safe boating on the water during National Safe Boating Week and throughout the 2018 boating season. The NSBC is proud to be a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, as a part of the National Weather Service’s Weather Ready Nation Program.
About the National Safe Boating Council
The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education, outreach, and training. The NSBC leads the Safe Boating Campaign, with support from boating safety advocates around the world. The Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information about the NSBC and its programs, please visit www.safeboatingcouncil.org.
About NOAA’s National Weather Service
Since 1870, NOAA’s National Weather Service has been the supplier of the most up-to-date and accurate weather forecast and warning information to the American public. The National Weather Service’s marine forecasts www.weather.gov/marine provide timely weather information relating to U.S. coastal and offshore waters, the Great Lakes, and the open oceans to ensure the safety of life and protection of property, promote international and interstate commerce by improving the efficiency of marine operations, mitigate environmental impacts and enhance the quality of life for the United States. NOAA’s National Ocean Service provides navigation products, such as nautical charts, that protect lives, strengthen the maritime economy, and position America for the future. For more information, visit www.weather.gov.
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Media Contacts:
Yvonne Pentz, National Safe Boating Council, ypentz@safeboatingcouncil.org, 440-670-1294
Maureen O’Leary, NOAA’s National Weather Service, maureen.oleary@noaa.gov, 301-427-9000