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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
843 AM EDT Fri May 24 2024

...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK CONCLUDES...

The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe
Boating Council has declared May 18 through May 24 2024 National
Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating practices across the
Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.

Today concludes National Safe Boating Week. Over the past week, we
have covered a variety of topics to help keep you safe on the water.
Knowing the forecast before your trip is critical. Weather and wave
conditions can change suddenly, catching boaters off-guard and
creating life-threatening conditions. Boaters should plan for a
range of conditions and take particular note of any current
advisories and warnings, including small craft advisories, gale or
storm warnings which alert mariners to either high winds or waves
occurring now or forecast to occur in the next day or two from now.

Dense fog and lightning can be particularly hazardous on the water.
Dense fog can result in very poor visibility. If your boat is
shrouded in fog, reduce your speed and ensure everyone on board is
wearing a life jacket. Display navigation lights and sound warning
signals for limited visibility following navigation safety rules.
Lightning is the most common threat boaters face from thunderstorms.
The best thing to do as soon as you see lightning or hear thunder is
to head to shore and take shelter on land until the storm passes.

Before you and your family go out on the water this year, ensure
your boat is equipped with enough life jackets for everyone on board
and wear them. Boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard
approved life jacket on board for every passenger on their vessel.
Before you take your boat out on the water this season, it`s
important to know the nautical rules of the road. The nautical rules
of the road are the navigation rules for preventing collisions on
the water. Knowing the nautical rules of the road is important for
all boaters.

Ensure your boat is safe this year by taking advantage of the free
Vessel Safety Check program. A Vessel Safety Check is the best way
to learn about conditions that might put you in violation of state
or federal laws, or worse, create an unsafe condition for you and
your passengers on the water.

For more information about boating safety visit
weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week and safeboatingcampaign.com

$$