The dog days of summer are here. The days are hot and so are the nights, so getting out on a boat is a great way to cool down. And lots of boaters bring their dogs along, so we wanted to provide you with 5 essential tips to help you get your furry friend ready for the water.

1. Adjustment Period - If you’ve never taken your pet boating or it has been an entire year since you last took them, plan a short trip on the boat so that the dog can gradually get used to the boat and the water. It may take a few trips before the dog gets comfortable and if your family helps encourage the dog with lots of attention and some treats, you’ll be able to have a boating dog in no time.

2. Life Jackets - These aren’t just required for people, but for dogs as well. Even if your dog can swim, it is important to have a properly fitted life jacket that the dog will wear at all times. You never know when the dog will accidentally fall into the water, get tired while swimming, or panic when the water is moving so the life jacket will keep it afloat.

3. Sunshine Protection - The sun can be extremely hot for pets, not just for their fur, but also for their feet on the deck of the boat. You want to make sure to provide a shady location where they can rest. And, if you have a short-haired pet or one with light coloring, you’ll want to apply dog-safe sunscreen.

4. Fresh Water - Make sure to provide plenty of clean, fresh water for your pet to drink at all times. Discourage your pet from drinking from the water you’re boating in as it can make them sick.

5. Potty Breaks - Your pet will likely need a chance to relieve themselves a number of times while out on the water. If you’re able to pull into a spot on land for the dog to use, be prepared with bags to pick up any waste. If you’re father away from land or stopping isn’t possible, bring along plenty of puppy training pads that can be put down on the boat deck for the dog to use. When soiled, they can be bagged up into a larger trash bag and fresh ones can be put down. * One final tip - Don’t forget to take photos of your dogs on the boat. You can share them with the Sea Tow Foundation and tag us @SeaTowFoundation when you post them on social media. By following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and memorable boating experience with your furry companion.

The Sea Tow Foundation is showcasing the winners of the 2023 National Boating Safety Awards via individualized blog posts that answer specific questions posted to each winning company.

Regal & Nautique of Orlando won the 2023 National Boating Safety Award in the category of Top Marine Retailer.

1. Please briefly describe your winning entry and tell us about the process of creating/launching it.

Regal & Nautique of Orlando has been a long-time advocate of boating safety, and we were very pleased by the opportunity to share our strategic retail initiatives and activities in hopes that other dealers will “see the light” and share in similar efforts. Our winning entry reflected our dealership’s holistic approach to boating safety which runs throughout all aspects of our business and operations, from active engagement among our leadership team in industry-sponsored boating safety initiatives, to our own ongoing customer education and promotion via safety training and onboarding, along with participation in multiple events and marketing communication platforms.

2. What inspired your company to promote boating safety?

Boating safety is an integral component in our dealership DNA and has been a major mission for our dealership since Day One. We believe safe boaters are happy boaters. Educated boaters are far more confident on the water and that contributes to a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience for everyone on board. As a dealership, boating safety is a key part of our stewardship to provide the best boating experience possible for our customers.

3. What partnerships, media coverage and/or opportunities have you received as a result of winning the award?
   
   

We appreciated the solid national media coverage generated as a result of winning this award and we also shared the news locally, and directly with our customers through various marketing communication channels. We have long-standing boating safety partnerships in place with “Ride Dry. Drive Dry” and others, plus we have intentionally shared and promoted the good works of multiple other boating safety organizations via our social platforms, website Learning Center blog and via customer eblasts. 

4. Is your company working on any future boating safety projects or campaigns? If so, is there anything you can share about what you’re planning to do?

Regal & Nautique of Orlando will continue to promote and participate in ongoing boating safety activities and initiatives on both the national and local level for our team members, customers, and with our dealership events and tournament series.  Some big news to share is that we have launched our exciting online pro shop at www.WakeUnited.com. Here, we offer a full line-up of the latest boating safety equipment and gear that is sure to resonate with our customers and the boating community at large!

On a boat, wind, vibration, noise, and the sun can impair balance, coordination, and concentration - all of which are intensified by the use of alcohol, drugs, or even some medications.

Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents every year, but if every boat were to have a Sober Skipper at the helm, these accidents and deaths would be 100% preventable.

Our goal at the Sea Tow Foundation is to eliminate Boating Under the Influence (BUI) by encouraging all boaters to choose to be or to designate a sober skipper before leaving the dock and "Take the Pledge" to not drink any alcohol or take any drugs. Do it for your family, your friends, your passengers and everyone else on board your boat and on the water, so nothing can take you down.

What do you think is missing from our tips? Would you add anything to our list? Let us know in the comments.

Boating is a beloved pastime, but safety should always be a priority. The U.S. Coast Guard released its annual report on recreational boating incidents for the 2023 calendar year, which provides crucial insights into boating safety trends, highlights areas for improvement and shows that boating safety efforts are making an impact.

The 2023 report reveals both progress and ongoing challenges. Boating fatalities decreased by 11.3%, from 636 in 2022 to 564 in 2023, while the total number of incidents dropped by 4.9%, from 4,040 to 3,844. Non-fatal injuries also decreased 4.3%, from 2,222 to 2,126. Despite these positive trends, alcohol remains the leading known factor in fatal accidents, accounting for 79 deaths or 17% of total fatalities, but the number of deaths had decreased from 88 the previous year.

The top five contributing factors to accidents included operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure. The fatality rate improved, falling to 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels (a 9.3% decrease from the previous year). However, the data showed that 3 out of every 4 boaters who died in a boating accident drowned and of those deaths, 87% were not wearing a life jacket, emphasizing the importance of this critical safety measure.

The Sea Tow Foundation’s mission is to eliminate preventable boating accidents and fatalities by providing access to education, tools and resources. We want to encourage boaters to always wear life jackets, and learn and adhere to safe boating practices. Our Life Jacket Loaner Program is a crucial part of this effort, providing boaters with free access to properly fitting life jackets to borrow at over 1,300 locations. These Life Jacket Loaner Stations are stocked with sizes from infant to adult extra-large and are available across all 56 states and territories. This program ensures that every boater, regardless of their experience or resources, has the life-saving equipment they need for a safe day out on the water. Check out our Life Jacket Loaner Station map to find the one closest to you.

Another one of our pivotal initiatives in promoting boating safety is the Sober Skipper Campaign. We believe that achieving zero Boating Under the Influence (BUI) incidents is within reach, as these accidents are entirely preventable. And the Sober Skipper campaign is working as evidenced by the continual decrease in the numbers of accidents and deaths attributed to BUI. By taking the Sober Skipper Pledge, boaters commit to having a sober, responsible person at the helm, ensuring a safer experience for everyone on the water. We encourage all boaters to join us in taking this pledge, making our waters safer and more enjoyable for all.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2023 statistics serve as a reminder that safety on the water should always be a priority. By following recommended safety practices and taking advantage of resources from the Sea Tow Foundation, boaters can enjoy their time on the water while significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

Boating is a fantastic way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the fresh air. However, we all know that conditions can change, and things can happen, so it is important to be prepared and carry all of the required equipment. The Sea Tow Foundation has put together a list of the 10 Essentials for Boating to make sure you have everything you need (plus everything required to take) before heading out for a day or weekend on the water. And, these would be great gift ideas for the boaters in your life! We've provided some links to help you purchase our favorite items*!

1. Life Jackets – The Coast Guard requires that a properly fitted life jacket be on board for each person in the boating group plus a throwable device like a ring buoy or floating cushion. While the universal-size life jackets that came with your boat will meet the requirements for adults, they won’t fit children, so you’ll need to have other life jackets for them. And it’s also a good idea to invest in some better life jackets for the adults that are comfortable and will provide better buoyancy like an inflatable life jacket. And, make sure that throwable device has some rope tied to it so you can bring someone back onto the boat! Don't forget that the Sea Tow Foundation’s nationwide life jacket loaner program has over 1,300 stations where you can easily borrow a vest-style life jacket if you invite any last minute guests on board and need a life jacket for them.
   
   
2. Fire Extinguishers – If your boat has an engine, you are required to have a fire extinguisher on board. It also needs to be rated for marine use. Even a personal watercraft needs to have a fire extinguisher on board. 
   
   
3. Signaling Gear – If you need to get help to your position or notify someone of a problem, you’ll need to carry signaling gear. For non-powered boats on inland lakes and rivers, a mirror is usually sufficient, but if you are on a power boat or are going into the Great Lakes or Coastal waters, then you're required to carry traditional flares or an E-Flare. For more information about the different types of flares, check out our page devoted to Flare Education.
   
   
4. Lights – Boats are required to have Navigation Lights (red, green and white) to help other boats see you on the water and know which direction you are moving. If you are in a non-powered boat, even if you don’t plan to be on the water after dark, it is a good idea to carry a water-proof flashlight on board. As the days get shorter in the fall and spring, the nighttime often sneaks up on you and it is good to know that a flashlight can help you with finding the boat ramp and it also alerts other boats to your position so that they can avoid you.
   
   
5. Anchor and Extra Line – Being able to stop your boat from moving is important if the battery or engine fails so that you don’t drift into a boating channel or into dangerous waters. That's why carrying an anchor is required. The anchor should be strong enough for the type and size of boat that you’re using and rated for the bottom type that is found in that area whether that is mud, sand, clay, grass, or rocks.
   
   
6. Safety Kit – This is one of the items that it's required for legal purposes, but you should still take the time to put together a boating safety kit that includes a first aid kit complete with bandages, gauze, tape, alcohol wipes, anti-nausea medicine, gloves, tweezers, and cold compresses. If anyone in your boating group has a medical condition like Diabetes, it is a good idea to include glucose tablets or tubes of icing to assist with low blood sugar. Adding a Multi-Tool and duct tape to any safety kit are good ideas as they both can be used in multiple ways whether that is patching up the boat or a wound.
   
   
7. Sound Signal Device – Depending on the type of boat you’re using, helps determine the type of signaling device youre required to carry. A canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard should have a whistle attached to every life jacket and it isn’t a bad idea to add whistles to the life jackets on every type of boat, too. Any boat less than 39.4 feet in length must have some device that can produce a sound, so powerboats often have a horn on board to meet this requirement. Boats that are larger need to make sure that the device can be heard for a half mile with a 4-6 second duration.
   
   
8. Communications Device – Getting in touch with a friend or family member to let them know that you’ll be late for dinner is important, but being able to get help in an emergency is critical. You can’t always rely on a cell phone to work, even on an inland lake or river, so it is a good idea to carry a VHF radio or a satellite communication device like a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a Garmin InReach.
   
   
9. License, Registration, and Nautical Chart – All boat operators are required to carry their boat’s registration paperwork as well as a copy of their boating license and/or driver’s license. It’s also a good idea to have a paper chart of your waterway just in case the electronics don’t work for some reason. And, keeping all of these in a waterproof pouch is a smart idea so that they stay dry at all times.
   
   
10. Food and Water – The last item isn't required, but is always a good idea for any trip out on the water. Plan to pack enough food and drinks for everyone on board for at least double the amount of time that you plan to be on the water. If you are packing for an afternoon boat ride that will last 4 hours, make sure to have enough food and water that you can be comfortable for at least 8 hours. That way, if you are delayed in returning to the boat dock for whatever reason, you and your boating group will not feel as hungry and thirsty as they otherwise would.

Bonus item: Having a Sea Tow Membership is always a smart idea so that you and your boat will be taken care of because members always get priority service. And this mans that you can get back to enjoying your day on the water even faster.

*The Sea Tow Foundation may receive compensation as an affiliate of Amazon for purchases made with these links.