New Web site promotes boating safety, weather awareness

swadminMay 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council have launched a new Web site to help boaters stay safe, the groups reported this week.

The site, safeboating.erh.noaa.gov, includes seven public service announcements for use by broadcast media outlets. Its launch coincides with National Safe Boating Week, which runs through May 22.

“Warm weather means more boats on the water, but it also brings the possibility of severe storms,” Jack Hayes, director of the National Weather Service, said in a release. “Since weather can turn on a dime, boaters should monitor NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards before leaving the marina and continually while out on the water. Marine hazards can come in many forms, from thunderstorms to high winds, dangerous waves and swells to dense fog.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service’s parent organization, provides a suite of products to help boaters get up-to-date weather information on the site. The site also includes weather terminology, new safety statistics on what causes the most boating fatalities and suggested actions to take for a safe 2009 boating season.

“The National Safe Boating Council is proud to be part of this new partnership with NOAA,” Virgil Chambers, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, said in the release. “There are varying factors that help boaters stay safe — always wearing a life jacket and being aware of weather conditions are two very important aspects to safer boating.”