If your organization, boating agency, company, or municipality wants to apply to host a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station for the 2022 boating season, the application period is open from Nov. 1, 2021 through Feb. 1, 2022. There is no cost to apply, and all materials are free as well.
Applications are available at www.boatingsafety.com/lifejacketgrant for anyone looking to restock an existing loaner station or add a new Life Jacket Loaner Station to their area. A limited number of loaner station building kits are also available to request. Applicants will be notified by the end of March whether they’ve been selected to receive life jackets and stands.
Selected applicants will be notified by the end of March and new Onyx life jackets will be shipped free of charge along with supporting materials needed to help set up and maintain a life jacket loaner station during the 2022 boating season. The Sea Tow Foundation is especially interested in expanding into Arizona, South Dakota and Vermont where no Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations currently exist, but all locations are welcome to apply.
The Life Jacket Loaner Program is in its 14th year and has made over 83,000 life jackets available for boaters to borrow in 47 states and four territories. Presently, there are over 800 Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations available nationwide, and all of them carry life jackets ranging in size from infant through adult ensuring that they are available for anyone needing to borrow one.
This program is made possible by a grant the Sea Tow Foundation receives from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
To find out more about the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program including the location of Loaner Stations in your area, please visit www.boatingsafety.com/map.
Photo below shows U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Clinton Lake Project alongside a life jacket loaner stand.