Recreational boating and water activities are enjoyed by millions of Americans each year. To encourage growth in recreational boating and water activities, the Safe Boating Campaign recommends these boating and water safety media best practices to support a culture of safety and encourage those enjoying the water to have the right safety gear.

These voluntary media best practices may be helpful for photo and video shoots, advertisements, packaging, written materials, social media posts and other collateral.

Boating and Water Safety Media Best Practices

Boating Safety and Life Jackets

• Safe Boating Campaign

BoatBeat

• Boating Under the Influence (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Communication Devices (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Distracted Boating is Hazardous (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Life Jackets Save Lives (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Paddlesports Safety (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Take a Safe Boating Course (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Towed Water Sports Safety (JPG, PNG, PDF)

American Canoe Association Safety Series

• Life Jacket Wear (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Defensive Boating (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Know Your Limits (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Paddler’s Safety Checklist (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Float Plans (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Communications (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Obtaining the Knowledge You Need (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Trip Leading (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Youth Paddling (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• SUP Leashes (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• SUP Lifejackets (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Paddling Participation & Fatality Stats (JPG, PNG, PDF)
• Kayak Fishing Safety Tips (JPG, PNG, PDF)

To download a logo for a national boating campaign, please visit their website.

• Bobber the Water Safety Dog
• Designated Skipper
• Discover Boating
• Life Jacket Worn…Nobody Mourns
• National Marina Days
• Operation Dry Water
• Safe Boating Campaign
• Saved by the Beacon
• Take Me Fishing

• BoatBeat Media Library
• U.S. Coast Guard Photo Library

These national campaigns have press kits available.

• Bobber the Water Safety Dog
• Designated Skipper
• Discover Boating
• Life Jacket Worn…Nobody Mourns
• National Marina Days
• Operation Dry Water
• Safe Boating Campaign
• Saved by the Beacon
• Take Me Fishing

These national campaigns have various public service announcements, including video, print and radio elements, as well as bilingual PSAs.

• Designated Skipper
• Life Jacket Worn…Nobody Mourns
• Operation Dry Water
• Safe Boating Campaign
• Saved by the Beacon
• Take Me Fishing

Social media is a great way to share boating safety information and fun things to know and do with friends and family! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and we’ll be sure to do the same! Remember to use the hashtags #boatbeat and #safeboating on Twitter.

Here are suggested posts to share about BoatBeat.org on social media. If you are looking for information on a specific boating safety issue to develop social media content, please reference our national fact sheets. Please browse the infographic, photo and image libraries, and video libraries on this page to find images and videos to accompany posts.

Facebook

• Looking for a national resource of recreational boating information? Visit BoatBeat.org for national facts, case studies and other media assets in one online location. It’s a collaborative effort with support from the National Safe Boating Council, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/

• Have you read the latest BoatBeat Alerts? Recent news about boating safety and industry developments.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/boatbeat-alerts/

• Did you know life jackets come in many styles for your water activity – some even automatically inflate? Learn more at BoatBeat.org.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/life-jacket-styles/

• Boating can magnify the side effects of alcohol use, such as impaired judgment, reduced balance and poor coordination. More information at BoatBeat.org.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/alcohol-and-boating-dont-mix/

• Quickly alert Search and Rescue assets by transmitting a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency via satellite. Learn more about EPIRBs and PLBs.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/epirb-and-plb/

• Wearing an engine cut-off switch may save 26 lives each year and prevent 186 injuries.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/emergency-enginepropulsion-cut-off-devices/

• States with mandatory boating education have a lower number of fatalities per 100,000 registered boats.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/boating-safety-education/

• Have everything onboard and working the way it should? Every Vessel Safety Check is conducted 100% free of charge by @USPS and @USCGAux.
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/vessel-safety-check/

Twitter

• BoatBeat.org is a national resource of recreational boating info via @safeboatcouncil @NASBLA @USCG. #safeboating
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/

• Read the latest #BoatBeat alerts for news about boating alerts and industry developments. #safeboating
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/boatbeat-alerts/

• #DidYouKnow life jackets come in many styles for your water activity – some even automatically inflate? #boatbeat #safeboating #wearit
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/life-jacket-styles/

• Boating magnifies  side effects of alcohol use: impaired judgment and poor coordination. #boatbeat #safeboating
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/alcohol-and-boating-dont-mix/

• An EPIRB or PLB can quickly alert Search and Rescue assets in a boating emergency. #boatbeat #safeboating @boatingisfun @USCGAux
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/epirb-and-plb/

• Wearing an engine cut-off switch saves lives and prevents recreational boating injuries. #boatbeat #safeboating
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/emergency-enginepropulsion-cut-off-devices/

• States with mandatory boating education have a lower number of fatalities. #boatbeat #safeboating
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/boating-safety-education/

• Every Vessel Safety Check is conducted 100% free of charge. #boatbeat #safeboating
  Share link: https://boatbeat.org/fact-sheets/vessel-safety-check/

More Information

Fact Sheets

Members of the media may find these webinars helpful to understanding various components of boating safety.

• BoatBeat Media Toolbox Webinar – January 2017
• Surviving Celebrity News – January 2017
• How to Navigate BoatBeat – March 2018

Browse boating safety videos from leading national organizations.

• American Canoe Association
• BoatU.S. Foundation
• National Safe Boating Council
• Sea Tow Foundation
• U.S. Coast Guard Video Library
• U.S. Power Squadrons Digital Media Library

A glossary of frequently used boating terms.

Browse frequently used words or phrases for quick reference, including phrases specific to boating in BoatBeat’s Style Guide.