A safety system for a boat includes a base unit securable to the boat and operably connected to one or more of the boat steering, engine and throttle controls. The base unit comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader and speed measuring means. The safety system also includes a portable unit securable to a person on the boat, with the portable unit comprising a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transmitter. The RFID reader and RFID transmitter are adapted to wirelessly communicate with one another when the portable unit is within a predetermined range of the base unit. There is also described a method of controlling a boat.