The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

2026 National Safe Boating Week Offers Tips for All Boaters


PHOTO

CLEARWATER, Fla., May 10, 2026 -- National Safe Boating Week, taking place May 16–22, 2026, reminds boaters to brush up on essential boating safety skills and prepare for the busy summer boating season ahead of Memorial Day weekend. This annual observance highlights the importance of responsible boating practices and supports a broader global effort to encourage safe boating practices and an enjoyable experience on the water.

"National Safe Boating Week is the perfect time for boaters to get ready for a fun and safe season on the water," said Captain Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. "By taking a few simple steps now—like checking equipment, wearing a life jacket, and taking a safety course—boaters can help ensure every outing is a safe one."

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in 76 percent of recreational boating fatalities, and that 87 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets in 2024.

There are many options for boaters when it comes to choosing a life jacket. When selecting a life jacket, a boater should check that it is U.S. Coast Guard approved, appropriate for the water activity, and fits properly.

The National Safe Boating Council recommends sharing these daily safety tips each day of National Safe Boating Week:

  • May 16: Always wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone wears a life jacket - every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency.
  • May 17: An engine cut-off switch matters – use it. It's also the law. An engine cut-off switch is a proven safety device to stop a powerboat engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.
  • May 18: File a float plan. Always let someone on shore know your trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board before you leave the dock.
  • May 19: Never boat under the influence. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 20% of recreational boating deaths in 2024. Always designate a sober skipper.
  • May 20: Prepare for the unexpected. Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.
  • May 21: Take a safe boating course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.
  • May 22: Always pay attention. Know what's going on around you at all times. The top two primary contributing factors in boating incidents in 2024 were caused by operator inattention and improper lookout.

In addition, the National Safe Boating Council also recommends the following tips:

  • Know where you're going and travel at safe speeds. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones, and always travel at a safe speed.
  • Keep in touch. Have more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones, and cell phones with GPS technology can all be lifesaving devices in an emergency.
  • Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working, and in good condition.

The Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The campaign offers a variety of free and paid resources to support local boating safety education efforts. Learn more at www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

About the National Safe Boating Council

Established in 1958, the National Safe Boating Council is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education, outreach, and training. For more information about NSBC programs and professional development opportunities, visit www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

SOURCE National Safe Boating Council

Convert


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Convert Your Already Published Press Release Into A Long Lasting SEO and AI Ready Sales Release For Just $195

Because your press release's message has been determined relevant to The Auto Channel audience it has been added to our 31 year old million page library of vetted and indexed automotive industry and car-guy content at no charge.

And now to get "ahead of the curve" to meet the changes coming with the tsunami of new search technology we make it simple and affordable for you to convert your Press Release into a Long-legged AI friendly Sales Release making it more discoverable and important in both today's SEO rankings and tomorrow's AI Searches...insuring your marketing message continues to delivers long-term visibility across The Auto Channel and similar web wide content topic searches...in-perpetuity.

1) What this is

A simple $195 one-time upgrade that extends the reach and shelf-life of a release already live on TheAutoChannel.com.

2) Who it’s for

Brands, agencies, PR teams, and publishers who want more discovery, more context, and longer-term value from an already-published release.

3) Why it matters

Mapping + links + context keeps your release discoverable wherever buyers, researchers, and enthusiasts search on TheAutoChannel.com...today or years or decades from now.

4) What you get

  • Internal topic/category mapping to every relevant topic silo on TheAutoChannel.com
  • Up to 3 deep editorial links embedded into your Sales Release (product pages, newsroom, docs, etc.)
  • Video; up to three YouTube videos embedded into your Sales Release
  • Up to three cleared images embedded into your Sales Release
  • Exposure within a pioneer Google News source (since 2002)
  • "Halo Effect" for your brand and message from your embedded Sales Release within relevant content topic silos all linked to indexed content from our 31 year old archive of automotive interest and car-guy lifestyle content, whether text, video, data or audio.

5) Internal topic/category mapping

Because we believe that Agentic AI search will prioritize content from aggregated topic archives this $195 upgrade includes your release's content and links placed within every applicable topic silo (brand, segment, technology, safety, motorsports, market, etc.) on The Auto Channel, making it a rational searchable element in each topic silo. .

6) Up to 3 editorial links

We will add up to three editorial "do-follow" links that take viewers to your determined content destinations (e.g., official product page, newsroom, PDF spec sheet). No affiliate links; purely informational.

7) Optional YouTube embed

You provide YouTube URL links to Videos which will be embedded into your Sales Release.

8) Cleared images

You provide up to 3 cleared images which will be embedded on your now Sales Release.

9) Google News & distribution references

Google News: TheAutoChannel.com has been a source for Google News since 2002. Your upgraded release will also benefit from the "halo effect" from our long-running news presence and Google appreciated deep archive of helpful content.

10) How it works

We edit-in your provided upgrade links, video and images, along with our relevant topic mapping.

11) What we need from you

  • Up to 3 editorial deep link page URLs to be included (optional)
  • YouTube Video URLs (optional)
  • Up to 3 cleared images + captions/credits (optional)

12) Turnaround

Standard turnaround is fast after we receive your $195.00 payment receipt from PayPal, approval for publication is typically 24-48 hours depending on queue and completeness of materials.

13) Price

$195 per one-time upgraded release.

14) How to proceed

Send Email to: BGordon@TheAutoChannel.com with your agreement to purchase the $195 upgrade a PayPal account will be sent to you after payment. Your email should also contain the URLs of your to be linked pages, YouTube videos, and the Images you want included in your Sales Release.

15) About The Auto Channel

Since 1996 online (and on TV since 1987), The Auto Channel has published a million pages of automotive news, reviews, databases and streaming content, and delivered them to millions of shoppers, enthusiasts, and researchers earning The Auto Channel an aHref.com 70+ Domain Rating(DR).

16) Fine print

We will only add editorial links that are useful to our readers. We do not add tracking/affiliate links. By providing images/video, you confirm you have rights to use them.

This offer is only available for releases that have already been published on The Auto Channel

Thanks For Your Consideration,

Bob Gordon, Co-publisher
bgordon@theautochnnel.com