Free boat safety checks available for National Safe Boating Week

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK)—National Safe Boating Week kicked off, bringing renewed attention to water safety as boating season begins across the country.

Captain Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, said the annual awareness campaign comes at a time when many boaters are just taking their vessels out of dry storage. Phillips, who lived and boated in Southwest Florida for about 15 years, said the region's year-round boating season makes safety awareness especially important.

"The easiest way to protect yourself and your passengers is to wear a life jacket," Phillips said.

She acknowledged concerns about wearing life jackets in hot weather but pointed to inflatable options that are less noticeable. Phillips compared wearing a life jacket to wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle—something that should be done before an emergency occurs, not during one.

According to the FWC, data U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division shows Florida saw more recreational fatalities than any other state in 2024.

That data for 2025 shows 53% of boating fatalities were due to drowning. 

" There are new inflatable life jackets that I promise you if you wear it, in five minutes you'll forget you even have it on," said Phillips. "If you need it, it will inflate and save your life."

When buying a lifejacket, always check the label for a sign of Coast Guard approval.

Mixed-use areas present some of the biggest risks for boaters in Lee County. These areas combine power boaters, kayakers, canoeists, stand-up paddleboarders and personal watercraft users, often sharing the same boat ramps and waterways.

"You've got somebody backing a trailer while maybe a few people are coming in with paddle craft, so that can create a risky situation at a boat ramp," Phillips said.

She recommended boaters slow down near paddlers even outside no-wake zones to prevent capsizing from boat wakes. Being courteous and maintaining awareness of surroundings can cut down on incidents, Phillips said.

Boaters should take Florida's boating safety course, which is required for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1988, but recommended for everyone. The course teaches navigation rules and what Phillips calls the "rules of the road" for waterways. Approved vendors can be found on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

"A confident boater is a safer boater," Phillips said.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free vessel safety checks at least once a year. Boaters who skip the inspection should still walk around their boats to check fire extinguishers for expiration dates, inspect life jackets for mold and ensure all buckles and zippers work properly. Each person on board needs a properly fitting life jacket.

Boating under the influence is the leading cause of boating fatalities. The effects of alcohol are amplified on boats due to movement, sun exposure and dehydration.

"If you can drink one alcoholic beverage on land, and you compare that to the effects on the boat, they're definitely amplified," Phillips said. "Let's save the alcohol until we get back to shore."

Boaters should maintain 360-degree awareness, especially in areas with swimmers or divers. Dive flags can be difficult to see from higher boats, making it crucial to have someone keeping lookout and maintaining safe speeds.

Hurricane season is approaching, bringing unpredictable weather to Southwest Florida. Phillips recommended checking weather forecasts before launching and again while on the water, as conditions can change quickly. She advised against going out when weather looks questionable, even on a day off.

"Heed that weather warning," Phillips said.