NEW YORK — As National Safe Boating Week kicks off May 17–23 and Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary are encouraging New Yorkers to get out and enjoy the region’s waterways — safely and responsibly.
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the boating season across New York City and the Tri-State area. From the Hudson River to the East River, from Jamaica Bay to the open Atlantic, thousands of boaters, paddlers and beachgoers take to the water each year to soak in the season.
While the Coast Guard remains ready to respond when things go wrong, the focus this week is on helping people have fun while staying safe.
In 2023, the Coast Guard recorded 3,844 recreational boating accidents across the country — a 4.9% decrease from the year prior — and 564 boating-related deaths, down 11.3% from 2022. Though this trend is encouraging, the vast majority of fatalities involved boaters not wearing life jackets or lacking formal safety instruction.
“As the boating season kicks off, we want people to enjoy the water and do so safely,” said Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, the Coast Guard Sector New York commander and Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey. “We know that most serious boating accidents are preventable. By wearing a life jacket, avoiding alcohol while operating a boat, and learning the basics of safe navigation, boaters can dramatically reduce the risks. It’s about protecting yourself and others enjoying the water with you.”
Even as the weather warms, local waters remain cold well into the spring and early summer. Sudden immersion in cold water can lead to cold shock and hypothermia in just minutes, especially if a boater is not wearing a life jacket. These risks are heightened in fast-moving urban waterways with high vessel traffic and shifting conditions.
To help everyone enjoy a safe season on the water, the Coast Guard recommends the following:
- Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Most boating deaths are due to drowning — and nearly 90% of victims weren't wearing one.
- Make sure your life jacket fits properly. A jacket that’s too loose can slip off in the water.
- Avoid alcohol while boating. Impaired operation is a major contributor to accidents.
- Use a VHF marine radio for emergencies — it’s more reliable than a cell phone.
- Take a boating safety course. These are offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and other local partners.
- Get a free vessel safety check. Ensure your equipment meets federal and state requirements.
- Check weather and tide conditions before getting underway — and monitor them while out.
- Dress for the water, not the air. Water temps around NYC can remain in the 50s through late spring.
- File a float plan. Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return.
- Label your paddlecraft. Kayaks or paddleboards found adrift without contact info can trigger unnecessary search efforts.
- Know your navigation rules and stay clear of shipping lanes and ferry routes.
Boating is one of the best ways to experience New York City from a new perspective — and with a few easy precautions, it can be safe and memorable for all the right reasons
Visit https://www.uscgboating.org to learn more about how to prepare for the season ahead
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