Prince George, B.C. – The Victoria Day weekend marks the official start of the boating season and, besides fun and enjoyment, Boating BC is urging boaters to put safety first.

National Safe Boating Awareness Week is May 20th to the 26th, coinciding with the launch of the boating season, and Boating BC President Don Prittie says “every year we see more and more people take up boating as a fun, safe and easy activity to explore our province.  With over 27,000 kilometers of coastline and hundreds of lakes and rivers we have a simple message for British Columbians: Get out on the water but do it safely.”

Prittie says there are easy and affordable safe boating courses available online and around the province and everyone on the water should remember some basic tips:

• Always where a properly fitted personal flotation device.
• Never drink and boat.
• Keeping emergency kits, navigation equipment and distress equipment onboard at all times.
• Check weather conditions and patterns before leaving and during your trip.
• Create a float plan before you leave so friends or family know where you’re going.

For more safety tips go to:  https://www.boatingbc.ca/cpages/safe-boating   For great ideas on where to boat in British Columbia go to: https://www.boatingbc.ca/cpages/boating-destinations