The International Boating and Water Safety Summit will be held virtually from May 17-19, 2021! IBWSS will be the kick-off of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971. Join the fun:

1. Register. Individual registration is FREE! Share with friends, colleagues, boaters, and any boating or water safety enthusiasts who may be interested in all IBWSS has to offer. Register here.

2. Exhibit. A scavenger hunt will drive attendees to your very own virtual booth, customized to promote your message, product, or service. Booth cost is $250. Exhibit at IBWSS.

3. Sponsor. There are many different levels of sponsorship opportunities to support IBWSS. Sponsor IBWSS.

In partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe Boating Council's Get Connected campaign encourages boaters to use an engine cut-off technology every time on a powerboat. Engine cut-off technology stops the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard. Some devices are even designed to stop the engine should passengers fall overboard. Learn more at www.getconnectedboating.org. 

As an industry stakeholder, your feedback is important in the further development of public outreach materials to educate recreational boaters about engine cut-off technology. Please complete this survey by April 1 to share your feedback.

Start planning now for Wear Your Life Jacket at Work Day on May 21, 2021. No matter where you're working from - home, office, backyard - you and your team can get involved in this fun awareness day to promote responsible boating. More creative - the BETTER!

Boaters are encouraged to share a picture of themselves wearing a life jacket at work on social media along with the hashtag #lifejacketatwork and tag @boatingcampaign (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram). Winners will be chosen randomly throughout the day to receive boating swag from the Safe Boating Campaign!

All the details on how to support the Safe Boating Campaign in your local community and online are in the 2021 National Safe Boating Week toolkit.

Make sure you're in the know by following @boatingcampaign on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.

Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) as of April 1, 2021, as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress.

Boaters are encouraged to visit the U.S. Coast Guard website for additional information on this new use requirement and other safety regulations and recommendations.

At the NSBC, we're grateful for recreational boating safety partnerships with each of the states and territories. Recently, we sat down with Lisa Dugan, boat and water safety outreach coordinator, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. She shared about a family recently "saved by the jacket" while kayaking - every member of the family had on a life jacket. Read the blog >>