Author: Jeff Moag
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American Canoe Association Kicks Off Boating Safety Week With Largest-Ever Training Event
On May 18, in what may have been the largest ACA led safety training event in ACA history, the ACA Regional Activity Council rallied the paddlesports community across seven states to train 471 people in one day to kick off National Safe Boating Week. This year marked a significant expansion of an already successful volunteer-led […]
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Recreational Boating Statistics 2023
An annual compilation of recreational boating statistics in the United States, compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard using data supplied by the U.S. states and territories.
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A Record Decline In Boating Fatalities, With One Glaring Exception
ORLANDO, FL – The Coast Guard last week reported the largest year-over-year drop in recreational boating fatalities in more than a decade, but that encouraging news was tempered by an increase in paddling deaths. According to the agency’s Recreational Boating Safety Statistics for 2023, overall boating fatalities fell a whopping 11.3 percent, from 636 in […]
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Recreational Boating Statistics 2022
An annual compilation of recreational boating statistics in the United States, compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard using data supplied by the U.S. states and territories.
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Stay Safe On Your Next Paddling Adventure
Paddling is a fun and safe activity, especially if you pay attention to these common-sense rules — always wear a life jacket, don’t paddle alone, dress for water temperature and don’t mix alcohol and paddling.
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Bargain Kayak (Remember a Life Jacket!)
If you go to the box store for paper towels and end up with a kayak, make sure you also pick up a life jacket. Because nobody wants to pull a Brad.
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Learn to Get Back On Your Kayak BEFORE You Flip
Getting back on your sit-on-top kayak isn’t that hard – if you know how. That’s why it’s a great idea to take a paddling safety class BEFORE you flip.
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Don’t Forget the Leash and LifejacketÂ
You can pick up a new SUP anywhere these days, but you can’t buy common sense. Always remember to wear your life jacket and leash when you paddle your standup paddleboard. And if your honey asked you to get TP at the Big Box, don’t forget that either.
Read MoreScott Szczepaniak
Recreational Boating Safety Specialist, US Coast Guard District 7, Miami, FL Cell: 843-327-9655 Office: 206-815-0598 Email: Scott.J.Szczepaniak@uscg.mil Scott Szczepaniak is the Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the Seventh Coast Guard District, which includes South Carolina, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Scott has been involved in aquatic and maritime safety his entire […]
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Heroic Boating Rescue
Sgt. Brian Parkton knew the situation could turn bad in a heartbeat. The veteran marine patrol officer was responding to reports of a boat in trouble with nine people, including three children, still on board. The 21-foot open motorboat had filled with water and lost power at the mouth of Destin Pass, a northwest Florida […]
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Lifeline
Adrift on a capsized boat 16 miles offshore, a palm-sized personal locator beacon was their best last chance. By Jeff Moag The situation went bad in a hurry. Tan Boriboune joined a group of five friends for a day of spearfishing off Virginia Beach on August 16, 2020. A heavy swell was running that Sunday […]
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The Rest of the Story
What happened after this viral smash-up at the mouth of the Columbia is just as scary as the crash itself. By Jeff Moag If you’ve been on the Internet in the last four years, you’ve probably seen the video. It starts with three salmon fishermen waving and shouting as a 31-foot powerboat bears down on […]
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Holiday Boating Tips
Throughout the country, boaters are expected to cruise to popular gathering spots this Fourth of July weekend with friends and family, with plans to raft up, drop anchor and swim, enjoy barbeques and cap off festivities with spectacular fireworks celebrations.
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Life Jacket Law For Paddlers
PROVIDENCE, RI – For paddlers in Rhode Island, wearing a life jacket is no longer a choice. It’s the law. The mandatory life jacket rule is one of five new safety regulations that went into effect on April 2, 2023, according to an announcement by the state’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The new life […]
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A Whistle in the Wind
Mark Wheeler went overboard in pitch darkness and a 40-knot squall. This is the remarkable story of how his friends got him back. By Jeff Moag Mark Wheeler went overboard a few minutes before midnight. He was in the middle of Lake Michigan, 30 miles offshore in 40 knots of wind. As he fumbled for […]
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Recreational Boating Statistics 2021
An annual compilation of recreational boating statistics in the United States, compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard using data supplied by the U.S. states and territories. Recreational Boating Statistics 2020 was released on June 30, 2021. New reports are published in early summer using certified data from the previous year.
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WSF’s Jim Emmons Talks Boating Safety With The Weather Channel
Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons is interviewed by The Weather Channel
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Water Sports Foundation Campaign Wins National Boating Industry Safety Award
Southold, NY, December 8, 2021 – The Sea Tow Foundation and its Boating Safety Advisory Council announced six winners today of their National Boating Industry Safety Awards which recognizes the best boating safety work in the for-profit section of the recreational boating industry. Sponsored for the second year by KICKER Marine Audio, the six top […]
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