Posted By Gail Kulp,
Friday, September 23, 2022
Updated: Friday, September 16, 2022
The Sea Tow Foundation, with support from MarineMax
and Sea Tow International, held a ribbon cutting
ceremony for the opening of its 1,000th Life Jacket Loaner
Stand at the Seminole Street Boat Ramp in Clearwater, FL.
The Sea Tow
Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner
Program started
in 2008 with a single location where boaters could borrow and return life
jackets for a safe day on the water. Thanks to grant funding from the Sport
Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund as administered by the U.S. Coast
Guard as well as corporate sponsors and individual donors, the program has
since grown to be the largest life jacket loaner program in the world, with
loaner stations in all 50 states,
plus Washington, D.C., American Samoa and the Virgin Islands.
To celebrate this milestone and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to boating safety, MarineMax is matching donations made to the Sea Tow Foundation up to $5,000 from September 23-30. If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Sea Tow Foundation and have MarineMax match it during this time frame, please visit www.boatingsafety.com/MarineMaxDonationMatch
Posted By Kim Perry,
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
When John and his 15-year-old grandson Beau left their home in Texas to travel to Louisiana to go fishing, they expected to land some redfish. Unfortunately, they ended up with a ticket and fine from the local marine patrol officer who explained to John that the free, online boater education class he took in Texas was not valid in Louisiana because the certificate wasn’t state-issued. Plus, Beau was too young to not have a life jacket on when the boat was in motion. The fishing trip turned out to be a lot more expensive and a lot less fun than John and Beau had planned because they didn’t know that boating laws are different in each state.
Next time, before John and Beau think about traveling out of state to boat, they will need to know and understand the laws that apply to the state they’ll be boating in. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) website has everything a boater would need to know about state-specific boating laws for every state and territory in the U.S.
On the NASBLA website, an informative portal can be used to quickly find state boating laws by clicking on the Boating Safety Dashboards. Each dashboard breaks down the information into categories such as Boating Education, BUI Enforcement, and Life Jackets, just to name a few. Clicking on a category will direct you to a series of interactive maps.
After clicking on “Boating Education” that will take you to a new page where you can see individual sets of data about boating education requirements for each state and territory. Using the Education Requirements – State map, clicking on your home state can tell you the following pieces of information:
Who is required to have a Boating Education Card in that state.
Whether the law applies to powerboats and what size motor or boat.
What is required for an adult visiting from another state (most states require a NASBLA-approved course)
If there is a minimum age for operating boats in the state
Whether taking a challenge exam is allowed instead of taking an approved course
And a link to the State’s Education Website is provided for additional information as well as contact information if other questions come up
Going back to the main dashboard, you can also click on the BUI Enforcement icon and, just like the Boating Education section, individual sets of data are available on the topic of Boating Under the Influence (BUI). While the penalties and punishments differ from state to state for BUI, you should know that boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in all U.S. states and territories. And, drinking any amount of alcohol while driving a boat makes it less safe for everyone on board because of the additional stressors involved with boating such as the wind, waves, and sun. In an attempt to eliminate boating under the influence accidents and fatalities, the Sea Tow Foundation developed the Sober Skipper Campaign, which urges boat drivers to make the right choice and take the pledge to abstain from drinking alcohol and taking drugs while driving a boat to keep you and any passengers on board safe on the water.
The NASBLA Life Jackets tab provides state-specific requirements for mandated life jacket wear by age and type of boat as well as whether season wear is required. While it’s important to stay in compliance with the law, to practice safe boating, smart boaters should go beyond the legal minimums to help keep everyone aboard safer. To learn more, check out the Sea Tow Foundation’s article Top 10 Times When You Should Absolutely, Positively Wear a Life Jacket. To borrow a life jacket at one of the 933 loaner stations nationwide, visit the Sea Tow Foundation’s online Life Jacket Loaner Station map nationwide.
Understanding (and complying) with state boating laws will go a long way to ensure you’re boating lawfully and can enjoy a safe, fun, and memorable boating experience – wherever your boating destination takes you!
To continue providing blogs, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Friday, November 5, 2021
Updated: Thursday, November 4, 2021
Life Jacket Loaner Programs save lives. By providing life jackets that boaters of all ages can borrow and return free of charge, a life jacket loaner station can prevent drowning. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned and 86% of those were not wearing a life jacket. This is likely because people who drown never expected to end up in the water and are not prepared with a correctly fitting life jacket for everyone, but a life jacket loaner station can provide life jackets for free to ensure everyone’s safety. Developing an effective life jacket loaner program includes considering partnerships, continued funding, station location, publicity and using the resources provided by the Sea Tow Foundation
Partnerships
The most important part of a successful life jacket loaner program is to involve and include as many stakeholders as possible. You already have the advantage of being affiliated with the Sea Tow Foundation and the U.S. Coast Guard, but the more partnerships you can create, the better your life jacket loaner program can be. Each agency/organization brings something unique to the program and it is important to host meetings and discussions with everyone involved in the early planning stages as well as throughout the life of the program. Stakeholders can include any groups in the area that would benefit from safer waterways including those groups involved in boating as well as swimming. Possible partners include your state boating agency, state or local parks, Safe Kids USA organization, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, other non-profit organizations, civic groups like the Lions or Moose, scouting groups, etc.
Find Funding
Building a successful life jacket loaner program requires money. There is just no way around that fact. Although you have received the life jackets from the Sea Tow Foundation for free, there are other costs to consider when implementing a life jacket loaner program. Signage may need to be printed to help people find the loaner stand. In addition, the life jackets will eventually need to be replaced and the stands will either need to be repaired or replaced and that requires funding. The Sea Tow Foundation can’t guarantee the availability of grant funds to assist with this in future years. Therefore, it is crucial to plan out all of the costs ahead of time and make plans for where the funding will come from. Failure to plan ahead for funding means that a new life jacket loaner program could be successful and prosperous in its first year and then disappear from the community in its second year due to lack of funding.
Choose a Good Location
A life jacket loaner stand will not be successful if the public cannot find it and use the life jackets. Choosing a location is important because the goal will be to have the loaner stand at this specific place for a long period of time. Conduct research on drowning statistics in the local area and observe where boaters and other water enthusiasts spend a lot of time on their way to the water. A marina store, waterfront office, fuel dock or boat ramp can all be a good location for a life jacket loaner stand, but these don’t have to be the only options. Boating safety camps, marine law enforcement stations, fire departments, libraries, lifeguard stands, community centers as well as many other locations could be successful places to put a life jacket loaner stand. To prevent loss and theft, a loaner stand that is at least perceived to be under surveillance will see a higher rate of life jacket return, so consider a well-populated location where the life jackets and/or stand will have lots of people around it. An additional safeguard would be that the life jackets and/or stand could be secured overnight, if that is possible.
After deciding on potential locations, it is important to involve the business owners, organization representatives and town council in the decision of where to place the life jacket loaner stand. Although many businesses, organizations and towns welcome the addition of safety initiatives such as life jacket loaner programs, there may be some that require additional convincing.
Publicize the Life Jacket Loaner Stand When the life jacket loaner stand has been built and placed at its location, host a press event to showcase the good work that your organization/agency has done. Stage a ribbon cutting ceremony and invite the local stakeholders, business owners, politicians, law enforcement officials and members of the press along with anyone else that may be interested. You can submit a press release to your local newspapers with the assistance of the Sea Tow Foundation.
Resources Available from the Sea Tow Foundation Using all the resources available through the Sea Tow Foundation will help keep your station successful. Whether it’s adding your station to the interactive location map, providing PSAs, ordering program products, and downloading webinars, we’ve got you covered.
Click here to the Resources page and here to the Store.
Ready to Apply?
If your organization, boating agency, company, or municipality wants to host a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station during the 2023 boating season, the application is now closed as of February 2, 2023. To be notified when the 2024 grant application opens on November 1, 2023, please fill out this form.
Donations to the Sea Tow Foundation help us fund programs that help in our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, November 1, 2021
Updated: Friday, October 29, 2021
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.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #6 - Wear Your Life Jacket
Wearing a life jacket is the single most important thing you can do to improve your safety on board a boat. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most recent Recreational Boating Statistics report, 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 86% were not wearing a life jacket. In other words, 8 out of 10 lives would have been saved had the people been wearing life jackets.
The Sea Tow Foundation and U.S. Coast Guard recommend that boaters wear life jackets at all times because you can never predict when you’ll need them. You can’t put on a seatbelt in a car while you are in the middle of a car accident, and you won’t be able to put on a life jacket in the middle of an on-water emergency either. Wearing it is the best option.
Modern life jackets are designed to be comfortable to wear and some kid’s models are colorful and feature fun themes, which help make children want to wear them. The two most important pieces to check is that 1) the life jackets are U.S. Coast Guard approved and 2) the life jackets are the proper size for the person wearing them. A child can’t wear an adult-size life jacket because they will slip out of it in the water and an adult would never float if they were hanging onto a child-size life jacket.
Inflatable life jackets are also an option for those at least 16 years of age. They can be worn on the waist or like a pair of suspenders so that they are out of the way until they are needed, but they must be worn to be approved. Also, if you plan to go white water kayaking, wake boarding, riding a PWC, or participating in any other activity with high impact, an inflatable life jacket is not an option.
If you don’t have enough life jackets for everyone on board or don’t want to purchase a life jacket for a one-time boat visitor, don’t worry. The Sea Tow Foundation has established over 750 life jacket loaner stations throughout the United States where boaters can easily borrow and return life jackets in all sizes to ensure that they have the right size for everyone on board. You can find a life jacket loaner station near you at www.boatingsafety.com/map.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
Top 10 Times When You Should Absolutely, Positively Wear a Life Jacket
Statistically speaking, boating is one of the safest outdoor activities, but because the participants are surrounded by water, there is always the possibility someone can end up in it. The Sea Tow Foundation and U.S. Coast Guard recommend boaters wear life jackets at all times, because you can never predict when you’ll need them. If you don’t have enough for everyone on board, the Sea Tow Foundation has established a nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program with over 750 loaner stations where life jackets are available to be borrowed and returned at no charge to help keep boaters safe.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most recent Recreational Boating Statistics report, where the cause of death was known, 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket. This means that your odds are nearly 9 out of 10 that a life jacket will save your life, so it is important to know when it should be worn.And we have the top 10 times when it should definitely be worn.
When it is the Law
Each state and territory within the U.S. determines the age requirements for wearing life jackets, therefore it is important to so check resources like the Sea Tow Foundation’s blog post on the topic that lists each state’s regulations. When operating in federal waters, the Coast Guard requires children under 13 to wear a properly fitting life jacket whenever a boat is underway unless the children are in a cabin.
When the Boat is Moving
According to recent statistics, 78 percent of boats involved in accidents are moving, a good starting point would be to ask guests to wear life jackets whenever the boat is at cruising speed. Accidents can cause the boat’s occupants to fall into the water and those not wearing jackets are at a much greater risk of drowning.
When on a Small Boat
Most drownings occurred on boats that were less than 16 feet long, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics. These boats are typically less stable and are more affected by wind, waves and other boat’s wakes. Many state regulations mandate the use of life jackets when operating small vessels like personal watercraft and canoes, but even if it’s not required, it makes good sense to wear them.
When Boating in Rough Water
Experienced boaters know the wind and waves can kick up suddenly, especially if a storm is on the way. During these times, it’s especially important to wear life jackets. Though rare, if a boat becomes swamped or capsizes, those who are wearing jackets are far safer. This also holds true whenever boating in whitewater conditions.
When Boating in Cold Water
Boaters who end up in cold water are subject to greater danger than when in warm water. First, cold water shock immediately takes effect which causes a person to hyperventilate and, in some cases, panic. This goes away within the first few minutes, but motor function can quickly be lost making putting on a life jacket nearly impossible, causing a victim to drown long before hypothermia sets in. Wearing a life jacket is a good idea and is the law in many states during cold weather months. Just remember that the water can be cold even if the air temperature is warm, so be sure to dress for the water temperature in case you fall in.
When the Driver of a Boat is New to the Sport
When a new boater is learning how to operate the boat, they may perform maneuvers that are not as smooth as someone who has had a lot of practice. This isn’t much different than when a new driver learns how to drive a car, but the biggest different is that boats don’t have brakes or turn signals. The jerky movements of the boat could cause someone in the boat to be thrown overboard unexpectedly and it is better to have the life jacket on while they are learning.
When the Person Can’t Swim or is a Weak Swimmer
If a person onboard a boat can’t swim or is a poor swimmer, they should definitely wear a life jacket at all times. There is no guarantee that someone will see them fall overboard and be able to throw something to them or be able to go after them in an emergency.
When Participating in Watersports
In most states, the law requires the use of life jackets when engaged in watersports like skiing, tubing and wake surfing. Just make sure that the life jackets are designed for impact and supposed to be used in these types of activities. This means that inflatable life jackets are not approved for these activities.
When Moving Fast
You’ll never see a professional boat racer hurtling down a waterway at 70 mph+ without wearing a life jacket. High speeds make a vessel less stable and more prone to adversely reacting to waves which increases the chance of the boat flipping. Physical injury during a mishap at high speed could render the boater unconscious or unable to swim. Be like the pros and always wear a life jacket when going fast.
When Boating Alone or At Night
Operating a boat along presents its own set of challenges. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, many mishaps that send a person overboard occur while the person is performing a task like setting an anchor, throwing a net or catching a fish. And if the person is the only one on board, there's no one else there to provide reboarding assistance. This is especially hazardous if the boat is moving like when trolling for fish. And nighttime operation has another set of challenges in being unable to see submerged objects or other hazards in the water. A good idea for solo boaters and/or nighttime boaters is to employ a wireless engine cut-off switch that will comply with the newly enacted federal law while allowing the wearer to still move freely around the boat. And to always have a life jacket on at all times.
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Remember, life jackets save lives, but only if you are wearing them. Can you think of any other time that a boater should definitely be wearing a life jacket? Tell us in the comments.
If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a
donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts
to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate
securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Updated: Monday, February 22, 2021
Video Blog
The Sea Tow FoundationTM accepts donations of new and gently used life jackets in our Life Jacket Drive Program. Before adding the donated life jackets to the life jacket loaner stands, they go through a 5-point inspection using a checklist to ensure that they are safe and ready to be used.
The following video walks you through the checklist and shows what to look for when inspecting a life jacket and how to know if you find something wrong with a life jacket. Click here to download the checklist.
If your life jacket does not meet even one of the items on the checklist, you should discard the life jacket and ensure that it is not going to be used by anyone. This can be done by cutting it into pieces before putting it in the trash. And, the Sea Tow Foundation also reused the discarded life jackets and repurposed them into a craft project in one of our craft blogs.
If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a
donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts
to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate
securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Friday, February 12, 2021
Updated: Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Looking Back on the Miami International Boat Show
The memory of those beautiful, mid-February days in Miami don’t fade very fast. They remind us of that time of year when members of the Sea Tow Foundation load up crates of life jackets and boating safety material, and then ship them out for the Miami International Boat Show. But that won’t be happening this year.
For the last 33 years, boating enthusiasts from around the globe, have excitedly attended the largest boat show in the United States. However, in an effort to keep everyone safe during the pandemic, show organizers decided to cancel the event this year. While we’re sad that we won’t be teaming up with our Miami friends and volunteers, we realize it’s the best decision.
One thing is for certain though, we have lots of memories from previous years and we’d like totake a moment to reflect back.
The Sea Tow Foundation has attended the show for the last 12 years and we have hosted a Life Jacket Loaner Stand there for the past four.
The docks at the Miami Boat Show are crowded and families often wanted to take test rides on the many boats for sale, but children’s life jackets were not always available, and some would forget to bring their own.Thankfully, the Sea Tow Foundation brought their nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Station program to the show attendees so that life jackets could be provided in all sizes including infant, child, youth and adult..
The faces of children, their parents and individuals from all walks of life also standout as a happy memory. Thousands of people have visited our life jacket loaner stands to borrow life jackets and many more received our information on boating safety. Our goals were being accomplished every day at the show by the sheer number of individuals we were able to influence with a positive message.
The Foundation’s participation in the show has evolved over the years as well.
Last year, we launched our first ever “Life Jacket Selfie Giveaway Contest.” Through a partnership with the boat show organizer, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) as well as partnerships with Onyx, FELL Marine, FishGillz, Navionics, Source4 and Formula Boats. As a part of this contest, the Sea Tow Foundation gave away five prize packages, valued at $3,600 each, to the show attendees and boaters watching from home. To be entered to win, participants had to take a selfie while wearing a life jacket at the show, post the photo to social media with the hashtag #LifeJackets4theWin, and tag the Sea Tow Foundation. As a result, social media was filled with posts from individuals eager to enter the contest, while our message of wearing life jackets reached thousands.
The Sea Tow Foundation plans to continue the tradition of ensuring boating can be safe AND fun next February at the Miami International Boat Show. In the meantime, don’t forget to wear your life jacket on the water. You can borrow one for free from the Sea Tow Foundation’s nationwide network of life jacket loaner stations or you can purchase one just for you – either way, the best life jacket is the one that you will wear.
Have you attended the Miami Boat Show in the past and visited our Foundation’s booth? Share with us your experience in the comments below.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Updated: Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Top 5 Boating Safety Trends
At the Sea Tow Foundation, our entire mission is to provide access to education, tools and resources in order to eliminate preventable recreational boating accidents and deaths. This year, we have compiled a list of the top 5 boating safety trends to pay special attention to as you take your vessel out on the water.
1) Wear Life Jackets
Every year, there are too many drownings that could have been prevented by the use of a life jacket. Not only is it required by law to have one life jacket per person on board the boat, but it can make a life or death difference during an emergency. It does not matter how strong a swimmer a person might be. Life jackets are the key to boating safety.
If you or one of your passengers does not have a life jacket for a day out on the boat, take a look at the Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Database to find a Life Jacket Loaner Station near you. Life Jacket Loaner Stands are placed in locations where boaters have easy access to borrow the life jackets such as boat ramps, marinas, and fuel docks. Boaters may borrow the jackets at no cost and are asked to return them when they are finished so that others may use the life jackets.
2) Designate a Sober Skipper
Boating under the influence is against the law in every state and territory. The operator of a boat must be alert and be able to pay attention to their surroundings. And with already having to deal with the wind, vibration, noise, and the sun, adding alcohol to the situation makes matters dangerous and deadly. By taking the Sober Skipper Pledge and designating a sober skipper before leaving the dock, you are promising to take care of your passengers and yourself, ensuring that everyone can have a safe and fun time on the water.
3) File a Float Plan
A float plan is a great way to provide an overview of your boating plans for the day. This can be as simple as a note or text to a friend staying back on land and it can help give the authorities a head start in looking for you, should a problem arise. A float plan should include a description of your boat, the number of passengers onboard, the starting point, the ultimate destination, and the general route planned. You also want to include contact information for the authorities and a timeframe, so that if you aren’t back at the designated time, you know that your friend will call for help. All of this is a good way to prepare and know that someone can find you in case of an emergency. The U.S. Coast Guard's free mobile app has a float plan that you can fill out and send to family and friends.
4) Know Local Boating Laws
Every state has its own laws for boating. Make sure that before you cast off, you know what is expected of you and your passengers. Are there certain places you can and cannot fish or certain times when fishing isn’t allowed? Do you have to wear a life jacket during certain cold weather months and what age is required to wear a life jacket at all times? Who is required to take a boating safety course and carry a certificate in this state? These are things you have to be certain of before heading out on the water so that you don’t get a citation. Check out our recent article on how to find out your state's boating laws by clicking here.
5) Build Your Safety Toolkit
Being safe out on the water is much easier when you have the right tools available for the right situation. By keeping an up-to-date safety toolkit, you can make sure that, if an emergency should arise, you and your passengers will be able to face it properly. A well-stocked toolkit should include emergency flares, a flashlight, a first aid kit, some non-perishable food, extra drinking water, rain and cold weather clothing, a bailing bucket, rope, a paddle, a whistle, and an emergency blanked. All of these items should be packed in a waterproof case that will float so that you can have access to everything no matter what happens. Reach out to our friends at the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and America’s Boating Club to schedule a free Vessel Safety Check before your next boating trip!
What do you see as a top boating safety trend in your local waterways? Share in the comments below.
If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a
donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts
to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate
securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.
The 2021 Life Jacket Loaner Program Grant Application is Open!
For anyone who is passionate about boating and saving lives through life jacket use, you can apply to host a loaner station, or restock an existing one, right now!
As part of a grant administered through the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, the Sea Tow Foundation receives funding to work with organizations, agencies and businesses throughout the U.S. to add new Life Jacket Loaner Stations and restock hundreds of existing stations for the 2021 boating season.
Applications can be found on our website at www.BoatingSafety.com/LifeJacketGrant. Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2020 until February 1, 2021.
Since 2008, the Sea Tow Foundation has distributed more than 65,000 life jackets to local businesses, agencies and organizations across the country. Presently, there are over 750 Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations nationwide and all of them carry life jackets ranging in age from infant through adult, ensuring that sizes are available for anyone needing to borrow one. The goal in the 2021 boating season is to add at least 50 new life jacket loaner stations and restock hundreds of others with Onyx brand yellow life jackets in all sizes to keep boaters of all ages and sizes safe on the water!
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