Don't die on the water. Take a safe boating course.

National Safe Boating Week ends Friday, but safe boating must continue throughout the summer and beyond.

Long Island has a remarkable tourism industry buoyed, in part, by recreational boating. Our waterways are a major reason people live here. Let’s all do our part to keep them safe.

As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of Long Island’s summer, do your part by completing the required boating safety course. The Island’s waterways look tranquil but can be dangerous. They deserve respect.

In New York State as of 2025, anyone operating a boat with a motor must take the course, regardless of age. No excuses. The state adopted Brianna’s Law in 2019 in memory of Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old Long Island girl who was killed when her family’s boat was struck by another boat in 2005. Brianna’s mother, Gina Lieneck, has told Newsday, “I feel that having this law is going to save lives.”

Completing the eight-hour boating safety course is inexpensive and worth the time. It can be done online or in person and includes basics like nautical navigation and safety equipment, and “encourages common sense and courtesy to all who share the water,” according to the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website.

The course isn’t required of those who operate a sailboat, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, rowboat or canoe, but it is strongly encouraged.

Much of what is covered in the boating safety course is common sense — don’t go boating without safety gear, check the weather and don’t drink alcohol. Most of Long Island’s waterways are influenced by tides, a factor that requires extra precaution. The deaths of two kayakers earlier this month in Shinnecock Bay was a tragic reminder of just how dangerous a well-intentioned day on the water can become.

Boaters and their guests should remember to have personal flotation devices for everyone on board and create a safety plan before leaving dock. And of course, boaters must not consume alcohol or drugs while operating a craft.

Not everyone knows these basics, which makes the course all the more important.

A 15-minute trip across the bay to Fire Island can turn tragic in a second. Once panic and disorientation take hold, avoiding a tragedy can require training. The safety course helps boaters prepare for — and avoid — the worst.

All boaters must be compliant with applicable laws before a trip. If you are a guest on someone’s boat, don’t hesitate to ask if there are flotation devices and if the operator took the safety course.

The Coast Guard said there were fewer boating fatalities nationwide in 2023, the most recent year data is available, but overall incidents increased by 1.1%. Often, these are avoidable tragedies.

People reflexively strap into a seat belt when they get into a car. Safe boating routines should also be reflexive. Have fun on the water, but don’t become a statistic. Remember what caused Brianna’s Law. Be a safe and responsible boater.