Alaska Boating Safety

Alaska has over 33,000 miles of coastline (more than the entire "lower 48" states put together), over 3,000 rivers, and more than 3 million lakes. Most of the state's 621,000 residents live in our 10 largest cities, but many others live miles from the road system in towns and villages spread along the coast and our interior rivers and lakes. From power boating and air boating to rafting, kayaking, and canoeing, Alaska's boating opportunities are as superlative as they are diverse. We certainly use boats to enjoy our world-class outdoor recreation resources, but our residents also use boats as an important means of transportation, and to support subsistence. Alaskans are truly "lifestyle" boaters.

Unfortunately, we also have one of the highest non-commercial boating fatality rates in the nation. In Alaska drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death. Accident statistics reveal that 3 out of 4 boating fatalities were the result of capsizing or falling overboard into cold water, where the boater was not wearing a life jacket. Most had not taken a single boating safety course.

In response, the Alaska Boating Safety Program was established within the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. In close cooperation with our partners, we provide boating education programs that promote safe, enjoyable boating in Alaska.

Click here for more information on the Alaska Boating Safety Program

In a state where capsizing and falls overboard into cold water account for the majority of boating deaths, the State of Alaska saw an obvious need to educate boaters on how to prepare for, avoid, and how to survive a cold water immersion event. Research published within the last 10 years has revealed that there is more to cold water immersion than hypothermia.

"The hope is that if Alaskans better understand the causes and effects of cold water immersion, we can improve behaviors and save lives" said Jeff Johnson, Alaska's Boating Law Administrator.

Jeff Johnson
Boating Law Administrator

Office of Boating Safety
550 W. 7th Ave, Suite 1380
Anchorage, AK 99501-3561
(907) 269-8705
(907) 269-8907 Fax
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