NOAA’s National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) have again come together to encourage recreational boaters to know their risks, learn the rules, and be prepared before taking the helm this summer during National Safe Boating Week from 19th to 25th May.

According to the US Coast Guard, there were more than 4000 boating accidents,
including 758 deaths, in 2011. 70% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84% were reported as not wearing a life jacket. Once in the water hypothermia can become a significant threat to survival even if wearing a life jacket.