The Nevada Department of Wildlife is participating in the National Safe Boating Campaign to promote safe and responsible boating behavior.
The campaign is part of a coordinated effort across the United States and Canada, centered on increasing life jacket use and reducing boating-related incidents.
“This year looks like it will be a great one for boating in Nevada,” said Game Warden Captain Buck Tingle, Boating Law Administrator for NDOW. “We want everyone to get out and enjoy all Nevada has to offer, but we also want you and your family to return home safely. The best way to do that is by taking a boating education course and wearing a life jacket.”
The campaign coincides with a holiday weekend and a local forecast calling for warmer temperatures throughout the week, possibly reaching the high 70s to low 80s, with increased wind expected later in the week.
National Safe Boating Week also serves as the official start of the 2025 National Safe Boating Campaign. The campaign emphasizes life jacket safety under the national theme: Wear It!
According to U.S. Coast Guard data, drowning accounted for 80 percent of recreational boating deaths in 2023. Of those victims, 87 percent were not wearing life jackets.
“Our number one priority is to get more people to wear their life jackets,” said Capt. Tingle. “People often think of life jackets as bulky or uncomfortable, but they’ve come a long way. Today’s life jackets are stylish, comfortable, and most importantly, they save lives.”
NDOW is also reminding boaters and water enthusiasts to operate cars and any vessels without consuming alcohol.
Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents and can impair vision, balance, and decision-making, all of which are essential for safe boating.
