National Public Relations Outreach Campaign

The Water Sports Foundation’s National Public Relations Outreach Campaign produced the largest online repository of boating safety content, using materials provided by the United States Coast Guard, the Water Sports Foundation, and other boating safety nonprofits, organizations and stakeholders. The purpose of the National Boating Safety Media Center was to create a comprehensive, one-stop resource featuring relevant boating safety content and statistical data, still and video images, and expert contacts available for media interviews.

The campaign created a curated database of national and regional media that cover boating and boating safety, including television, magazines, newspapers, radio, podcasts and social media. This database was developed and used during the project’s funding period in 2020 – 2021, resulting in 641 news stories and more than 1 billion potential media impressions. The database and media center continue to be a valuable resource for journalists and recreational boating safety advocates.

Photos: Captain Using Navigation Charts

Photos showing a captain (with and without a child) using navigation charts on a boat

Photos: Cell Phone with USCG Mobile App Screen Open

Photos showing a mobile device with the US Coast Guard app screen open

Photos: GPS Unit

Photos showing a GPS unit in use on a boat

Photos: Sailing with a Properly Fitting Life Jacket

Photos showing a man sailing while wearing a properly fitting Life Jacket

License-free Photos: Boat Flare Use at Dusk

Photos showing an emergency flare being used on a pontoon boat, at dusk

Photos: Boat Navigation Lights in Daytime

Photos showing navigation lights on a boat in the daytime

License-free Fishing from a Pontoon Boat Images

Photos showing several angles of fishing from a pontoon boat

License-free images: Fishing & Hunting from a Canoe

Photos showing hunting and fishing from a canoe

Fishing & Hunting from a Kayak

Images of hunting and fishing from a kayak

Fishing & Hunting From a Jon Boat Licence-free Images

Photos showing hunting and fishing from a jon boat

media best practices board edits 050420 feature2

Boating and Water Safety Media Best Practices

Boating and water safety media best practices, from the Safe Boating Campaign.

Deaths by Vessel Type 2019 USCG Recreational Boating Statistics featured

Number of Deaths by Vessel Type 2019

Number of boating deaths by vessel type, in 2019.

Deaths by Percentage by State 2019 USCG Recreational Boating Statistics feature

Distribution of 2019 Boating Deaths by State

2019 boating deaths distribution in the United States

Deaths by Mapped Location 2019 USCG Recreational Boating Statistics feature

Fatal Boating Accidents by Location

Fatal boating accidents by location, in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Boating Deaths by Vessel Power (2019)

2019 Boating deaths, by vessel power, including human-power, motor, sail and others.

Deaths by Vessel Type Percentage 2005 2019 USCG Recreational Boating Statistics feature

Percent of Deaths by Vessel Type, 2005-2019

Graph of boating deaths showing percentage by vessel type, from 2005 to 2019.

Info-link: U.S. Large Cruiser Market Snapshot

Large Cruisers are fiberglass, inboard, stern drive and outboard boats that are between 27’ and 32’ in length. They typically offer extensive amenities, including the ability to take shelter from weather. They are common in both salt and larger freshwater environments and are usually used for general recreation and relaxation.

Infographic showing the U.S. yacht market: map with red dots indicating boat locations, stats such as 142,400 total boats, 50% bought in 5 years, 22 years average age, plus buyer and purchase data for 2019.

Info-link: U.S. Yacht Market Snapshot

Yachts are fiberglass stern drive, inboard, and more recently outboard powered boats 33’ and larger in length. They offer extensive amenities and comfortable living accommodations for extended cruising. They are found in both salt and larger freshwater environments. This segment includes trawler style boats but does not include houseboats or offshore fishing boats.