YEAR SO FAR. WE’LL TALK ABOUT THAT MORE COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY WANTING TO GO OUT IN THE WATER THIS WEEKEND WITH THOSE HIGH TEMPERATURES. AND COINCIDENTALLY, THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE START OF NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK. PENNSYLVANIA’S FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION HAS A FEW REMINDERS AHEAD OF THE SUMMER SEASON. HERE, THE COMMISSION IS REMINDING VOTERS TO ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GEAR, ESPECIALLY PROPERLY FITTING U.S. COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE JACKETS IN EVERY FOR EVERY PASSENGER ON YOUR VESSEL, AND OFFICIALS ALSO WARN AGAINST RUSHING TO LAUNCH WITHOUT PREPARING AND EMPHASIZE THAT BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS IS ILLEGAL AND DANGEROUS, JUST LIKE IMPAIRED DRIVING ON THE ROAD ACROSS THE STATE, THERE’S BEEN EXPLOSIVE GROWTH IN BOATING, ESPECIALLY THOSE PADDLING ON CANOES, KAYAKS AND STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS. WHILE WE WELCOME THIS GROWTH, WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT MANY FIRST TIME VOTERS WILL VENTURE OUT ONTO THE WATER WITH VERY LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE WATERS. THEY WILL BE NAVIGATING, EVEN EXPERIENCED BOATERS CAN RUN INTO TROUBLE IF THEY DON’T PLAN AHEAD, AND IT MAY BE A WHILE SINCE YOUR BOAT’S BEEN
Pennsylvania officials stress safety as National Safe Boating Week begins
Updated: 5:36 PM EDT May 15, 2026
As National Safe Boating Week begins, Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commission is reminding boaters to prioritize safety ahead of the summer season. The commission advises boaters to always wear required safety gear, including properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for every passenger.Officials also warn against rushing to launch without preparation and emphasize that boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and dangerous, similar to impaired driving on the road. Growing boating popularity raises safety concerns”Across the state, there’s been explosive growth in boating, especially among those paddling on canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. While we welcome this growth, we do recognize that many first-time boaters will venture out on the water with very little or no knowledge of the waters they will be navigating. Even experienced boaters can run into trouble if they don’t plan ahead,” Roy Finney Jr. a member of the PFBC Boating Advisory Board Member, said. The commission also reminds boaters to check that their vessels have the proper registrations and permits, especially if it has been a while since their boat was last used.
As National Safe Boating Week begins, Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commission is reminding boaters to prioritize safety ahead of the summer season.
The commission advises boaters to always wear required safety gear, including properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for every passenger.
Officials also warn against rushing to launch without preparation and emphasize that boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and dangerous, similar to impaired driving on the road.
Growing boating popularity raises safety concerns
“Across the state, there’s been explosive growth in boating, especially among those paddling on canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. While we welcome this growth, we do recognize that many first-time boaters will venture out on the water with very little or no knowledge of the waters they will be navigating. Even experienced boaters can run into trouble if they don’t plan ahead,” Roy Finney Jr. a member of the PFBC Boating Advisory Board Member, said.
The commission also reminds boaters to check that their vessels have the proper registrations and permits, especially if it has been a while since their boat was last used.