With the Memorial Day holiday weekend rapidly approaching, many are thinking of hitting the water on boats.

Despite many Sailors' perceived familiarity with all things water, there needs to be some caution taken when doing so. Fortunately, there's plenty of available free and affordable resources to help keep Sailors safe.

National Safe Boating Week, held May 19-25, is the official kickoff of the annual Safe Boating Campaign, now in its 60th year. Countless boating and water safety advocates around the world have teamed up again this year to promote and educate people on the importance of responsible boating and wearing a life jacket while on the water. Many might say this week serves as a kick-off safety reminder for the 'Critical Days of Summer,' which encompass Memorial Day to Labor Day annually.

One such resource available is the Naval Station Norfolk Sailing Center and Marina on Massey Hughes Drive, just before Iowa Point on the waterfront. The Sailing Center's Safe Boating certification is nationally recognized, meeting the requirements of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). One of the courses offered is a 4-hour boater safety course offered every Thursday evening. Here participants will learn firsthand the state guidelines and standards, and boaters will become aware of the risks involved with boating and how to mitigate the risks as much as possible.

"There are numerous hazards and risks when boating, but in my opinion the most common risk is drowning," said DJ Johnston, an instructor and marina assistant manager at Norfolk Naval Station Sailing Center. "The risk of drowning significantly increases when passengers do not wear their life jackets, just as hazardous as not wearing a seatbelt while behind the wheel of a car. Unfortunately, I see many recreational boaters who are so eager to get out on the water that they are unaware of the many potential dangers. I advise all boaters to study the inherent dangers of boating before getting underway the first time: drowning, collision, shallow water obstructions, navigational hazards, fires on board, flooding, carbon dioxide poisoning, weather, sea state, currents, riptides and so much more."

This class is highly encouraged for all skill levels to become familiar with the sailing center's vessels and the surrounding operating area of Willoughby Bay and the Chesapeake Bay. The training knowledge gained in the course can translate to recreational boaters who aspire to own their own boat, are looking to rent one on the weekend or take the family out for a joy ride. The on-water practical the sailing center's goal is get participants well acquainted with boating systems, docking, tailoring/towing, anchoring and navigation.

"Our safe boaters course allows patrons to rent our selection of powerboats, they essentially walk away with a Norfolk Sailing Center 'Powerboat' endorsement," said Johnston. "We also offer courses on adult sailing, junior camp sailing and stand-up paddle boarding. These focus a great deal on teaching the proper methods to keep people safe on the water."

For more information on the Naval Station Norfolk Sailing Center or to register for a course, call 757-444-2918 or visit https://www.navymwrmidlant.com/mwr-programs/sailing-centers-marinas.

For more information on the Safe Boating program visit http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

For more news from Naval Safety Center, visit www.navy.mil/.