Safe Boating Awareness Week, taking place from May 18th to 24th, 2024, is a crucial time for Canadians to prioritize boating safety. With over 16 million Canadians engaging in boating activities, it is essential to educate both new and experienced boaters on safe practices. Gallagher Skippers’ Plan a proud member and supporter of the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) . Gallagher Skippers’ Plan provides comprehensive boat insurance coverage, further enhancing boating safety.
During Safe Boating Awareness Week, the CSBC focuses on five key messages to promote safe boating practices:
- Wear Your Lifejacket: Over 80% of boating-related drownings in Canada occur because individuals were not wearing their lifejackets properly. It is crucial to choose a lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD) that suits your boating style and wear it at all times on the water.
- Boat Sober: Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, or cannabis is not only irresponsible but also illegal. Impaired boat operation can have consequences on your automobile license and potentially affect your insurance coverage.
- Be Prepared, You and Your Vessel: Ensure that both you and your boat are prepared for your planned on-water activities. This includes being knowledgeable about your trip, having the required safety equipment, checking weather conditions, ensuring sufficient fuel, and filing a trip plan. By staying out of trouble, you also alleviate pressure on rescue resources.
- Take a Boating Course: If you operate a powered recreational vessel, you must have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or proof of competency. Consider taking advanced courses to enhance your boating skills. For paddle enthusiasts, www.startboating.ca offers valuable educational resources.
- Be Cold Water Safe: Cold water immersion can severely impact your ability to swim or stay afloat in case of an accident. Regardless of your swimming ability, wearing a lifejacket is the best chance of survival in cold water.
During Safe Boating Awareness Week, the CSBC directs boating enthusiasts to www.csbc.ca/en/safe-boating-awareness-week for recorded messages from national safe boating partners. These messages can be shared on social media and downloaded. For more information on safe boating, visit www.betterboater.ca and www.startboating.ca. The Weather to Boat App, available for free download (IOS and Android), provides up-to-date marine and local weather forecasts, electronic trip planning with emergency contact alerting, safety equipment checklists, boating safety tips and videos, and information on marinas and boat launches.
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan ensures that boaters have access to reliable boat insurance coverage, further promoting safety on the water. Boaters can now enjoy their boating experience with peace of mind, knowing they are protected against unforeseen circumstances. Learn more or obtain a quote, visit www.skippersplan.com or call 1.800.661.7211 – Protect your boat today!
Gallagher Skippers Plan is the exclusive insurance provider of Sail Canada
