National Safe Boating Week warning

Washington and Oregon officials used the opening of National Safe Boating Week on Saturday, May 16, to press a familiar message before Memorial Day weekend: wear a life jacket, tell someone where you are going, and do not mistake warm air for safe water. The campaign runs through May 22, according to the National Safe Boating Council. Washington State Parks and the Oregon State Marine Board tied their outreach to spring boating traffic and to hazards that remain in place even as temperatures rise. The warnings centered on cold water, life jacket fit and basic trip planning. Washington State Parks says its boating program is using National Safe Boating Week to remind boaters to wear a life jacket, avoid boating under the influence, carry the right equipment and know navigation rules. Oregon launched a new round of life jacket fitting events this week for families and youth across the state. ### Why are officials stressing cold water before summer really starts? Washington State Parks says water below 70 degrees is considered cold water, and that many Washington waterways stay under 60 degrees for most of the year. The agency says accidental immersion can trigger cold-water shock in the first three to five minutes, before hypothermia becomes the main risk. The Washington agency says many drowning victims die within minutes after going overboard because of involuntary gasping, hyperventilation and panic. A life jacket helps keep a person’s head above water and can buy time during swim failure, which the agency says can begin three to 30 minutes after immersion. ### What are Washington officials telling boaters to do right now? Washington State Parks says National Safe Boating Week outreach in the state is focused on routine precautions: wear a life jacket, never boat under the influence, carry required equipment and know navigation rules. (parks.wa.gov) The agency says members of the public can use its campaign materials and safety pages during the week. The U.S. Coast Guard says 2024 recreational boating incidents nationwide involved 556 deaths, 2,170 injuries and about $88 million in property damage. (parks.wa.gov) Washington State Parks cites Coast Guard figures saying 80% of boating fatalities could have been prevented if people had worn life jackets. ### What did Oregon add this year? The Oregon State Marine Board said in a May 4 release that it created new “Fit to Float” life jacket fitting events for May 15 in conjunction with National “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day. (parks.wa.gov) The agency said the events were set for eight locations statewide and were aimed at youth, families and caregivers. Priscilla Macy-Cruser, boating safety advocate program coordinator for the Oregon State Marine Board, said the agency wanted to make boating safety “simple and approachable” through hands-on fitting events. (uscgboating.org) The listed sites included Warren, Portland, Keizer, Eugene, Merlin, Gold Hill and Phoenix. ### How broad is the national campaign? The National Safe Boating Council says National Safe Boating Week runs from May 16 through May 22, 2026. (oregon.gov) The National Weather Service says it is supporting the campaign with public information statements and public service announcements on NOAA Weather Radio. BoatUS Foundation said this year’s observance also serves as the kickoff to its “Before You Boat” campaign. The timing places the safety push directly ahead of Memorial Day weekend, when many recreational boaters return to the water. (oregon.gov) ### Where are officials sending people for the next step? Washington State Parks directs boaters to its cold-water safety, life jacket loaner and boating campaign pages for guidance and local materials. (safeboatingcampaign.com) Oregon’s Marine Board directs boaters to its life jacket, safety education and boating advocate pages, where the agency posts rules, outreach programs and event information. National Safe Boating Week continues through Friday, May 22, and the Coast Guard’s boating safety site and the National Safe Boating Council campaign page remain the central national references for statistics, guidance and partner events. (boatus.com) (safeboatingcampaign.com) (parks.wa.gov)