National Safe Boating Week is happening now through May 22, 2026 — prepare for Memorial Day weekend and the coming season by brushing up on some boat safety tips and protocol. The annual week serves as a reminder to encourage boaters to prioritize safety on the water, and offers tips and advice to stay safe and responsible while having fun boating. National Safe Boating Week marks the kickoff of BoatUs Foundation’s Before You Boat campaign, which recommends some key safety tips before heading out on the water:
Before You Boat…Check your lifejacket fit and quantity, inspect your emergency beacon, file a float plan, attach your ECOS (engine cutoff switch), check the weather, and make safety a priority!
“Safe boating doesn’t require complicated gear or expert skills. It requires consistency,” says Ted Sensenbrenner, director of Boating Safety at BoatUS Foundation. “Taking a few minutes before leaving the dock to follow these simple tips can make all the difference when conditions change unexpectedly.”
To learn more, or for safety tips and education opportunities, visit boatus.org.
PHOTO: BOATUS FOUNDATION FACEBOOK
