“There’s no better way to enjoy Pennsylvania’s great outdoors than on a boat. Be it paddling a canoe or kayak, fishing from a small motorboat, or sight-seeing on a pontoon or cabin cruiser, there’s a kind of boating fun for everybody. But nothing can ruin that fun faster than a boating accident. So as we head into the prime boating period in Pennsylvania, we want to encourage all boaters – experienced and novice – to brush on up their safety knowledge,” said PFBC Executive Director Doug Austen.

To that end, the Commission has published a simple quiz covering some basics of boating. By taking the quiz, you can be entered to win a life jacket – the most critical piece of safety equipment on any boat. More importantly, what you learn can save your life.

For instance, did you know that in recent years, more Pennsylvania boaters have died in small unpowered boats than in high-speed motorboat crashes? Are men or women more likely to be a victim of a boating accident? (Men) On what waterway are visual distress signals required equipment? (Lake Erie)

While on the Commission web site, you can also register to take a boating safety education class. In addition to traditional classroom instruction, the Commission also offers home-study courses. Or browse the Pennsylvania Boating Handbook, an award winning publication that covers in both text and illustrations the gear, regulations and “rules of the road” needed for safe and enjoyable boating in the Commonwealth.

Each year, on average, 700 people die in boating-related accidents nationwide. National Safe Boating Week is scheduled each year as the first full week before Memorial Day weekend. The focus of the 2007 observation (May 19-25) is life jackets with the simple, but important reminder to “Wear it!”

• Boating safety education
• Pennsylvania Boating Handbook
• National Safe Boating Week
• Press release index