Safe Boating Awareness Weeks Begins May 16th

Safe Boating Awareness Week (SBAW) 2026 runs May 16th-22nd promoting safe boating practices across Canada. The week is dedicated to raising awareness and helping prevent incidents on the water through education and shared responsibility.

This year, SBAW is focusing on five key boating safety messages:

• Wear Your Lifejacket – If everyone wore their lifejackets while in small open boats, we predict there could be an instant 50% reduction in boating deaths.

• Boat Sober – It is dangerous and socially unacceptable to drink or take drugs and drive a vehicle. The same holds true for drinking or taking drugs and boating.

• Take a Boating Course – Like any activity, more knowledge brings more competence and pleasure. Boating is no different.

• Be Prepared – You and Your Vessel – Mechanical breakdowns and running out of gas account for over 80% of the calls for help. Most of these embarrassing incidents are preventable by ensuring your vessel is serviceable, you have sufficient gas. Part of being prepared is also making sure that the weather and water conditions are suitable for your day out on the water.

• Be Cold Water Safe – Cold water is an environmental factor that all boaters should understand and prepare for.

How Big Is Boating In Canada?

• 44% of Canadians participate at least occasionally in recreational boating activities - this is over 16 million Canadians!

• 15% of the public or 3 million are operators of (drive) a power boat.

• 19% of the public or 6 million are passengers but do not drive a power boat.

Boating Fatalities Are On the Decline

According to the Lifesaving Society’s 2023 National Drowning Report, boating-related fatalities in Canada have continued to decrease. The report indicates that during the period 2016–2020, there was a 15% reduction in boating deaths compared to the previous five-year period (2011–2015). This decline is largely attributed to increased public awareness, improved safety regulations, and enhanced enforcement measures. On average, there were 95 boating fatalities per year during 2016–2020, down from 112 per year in 2011–2015.

Boating Risk Factors

• 80% of boating fatality victims are males

• Cold water was a factor in 44% of boating fatalities (2005-2007) – the colder the water, the higher the death rate.

• Capsizing was a factor in 44% of fatalities and 30% of those who drowned were boating alone.

Most Boating Fatalities are Preventable

• In 80% of boating fatalities the victim was not wearing or properly wearing a lifejacket

• If everyone on the water wore a lifejacket, we predict that most lives would be saved annually

• Alcohol is involved in about 40% of all boating fatalities.

2024 Safe Boating Awareness Week Survey Results

In the Fall of 2024, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) commissioned a national public awareness survey to measure and track the awareness of safe boating messages. The following highlights reflect the success of the campaign:

How aware are Canadian boaters of boating safety messages?

• 82% of surveyed individuals were aware of at least one SBAW safety message.

• 71% recalled the message: "Wear your lifejacket."

• 63% recalled the “Boat Sober” alcohol messaging.

• Increase awareness in all boat safety messages since 2018 research

What effect did the campaign have on Canadian boaters’ behavior regarding their personal safety practices?

• 57% agree with: "I will wear my lifejacket all the time while I'm out on the water."

• 60% agree with: "I will strongly encourage everyone who is out in a boat to wear a PFD."

• 69% agree that: "I am not going to drink any alcoholic beverages while operating a boat."

• 67% agree with: "I will always check the weather before going out on the water, and watch for changing conditions while out."

• 42% say: "I’m going to make a point of getting more information, or training, to become a better boater or paddler."

• 59% say: "I’m going to make a point of being better prepared for the possibility of falling into cold water, by wearing my lifejacket."

The SBAW 2024 survey responses are from a sample of adult Canadians selected to represent population demographics. Details by Canadian regions and boating activities are available on the CSBC website, www.csbc.ca. #news