If your holiday weekend plans include any time on the water, Boat Smart wants to make sure you're thinking about safety as you head out.

BoatSmart President Cameron Taylor says lack of preparation is at the heart of most on-the-water tragedies. 

"If you look at the stats, more than 80% of the people that drown in boating related accidents would be alive today if that had a PFD[personal flotation device] or life jacket. So it's easy to say  'you know what? I don't need on.' But the one time you do you, wish you had it." 

Making sure everyone on board has a lifejacket, and that each person who drives a motorised watercraft has the proper Pleasure Craft Operator Card are a couple of key things you should be thinking about.

You can take the exam to get the card at www.boatsmartexam.com.

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