Posted By Kim Perry,
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, October 5, 2022
WHAT IS AN E-FLARE AND SHOULD I GET ONE?
An E-Flare is a non-pyrotechnic electronic visual distress signal with a very bright light that operates off of batteries. Multiple manufacturers produce Coast Guard certified E-Flares including ACR and Sirius Signal. An E-Flare serves as your nighttime distress signal. Each E-Flare will come with an orange distress flag that will be used as your day signal. E-Flares are easy to operate and only require that you check the batteries on a regular basis. When used, the E-Flare will flash the S-O-S signal for at least 2 hours, much longer than a traditional flare. Even if you still choose to carry traditional flares, adding an E-Flare to your boat's safety kit is a smart idea.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Friday, September 9, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, September 7, 2022
VIDEO BLOG
MarineMax won the 2021 National Boating Industry Safety Awards in the Large Marine Retailer Category.
The presentation of the awards took place at MRAA’s Dealer Week in December 2021, but Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director, recently sat down with Capt. Keith Lake to find out a little more about their award-winning entry as well as their secret to success since MarineMax had won the award for a 3rd year in a row.
MarineMax is the world's largest recreational boat and yacht retail company and they have been a proven champion of boating safety offering classes, educational tips, a video series on boating safety tips, and much more.
Learn more about MarineMax and what other plans they have for new boating safety initiatives at the video linked below.
The US Coast Guard requires that children under the age of 13 wear a life jacket whenever they are on an underway boat. Yet there are as many types of life jackets as there are types of boats. This can make finding the right life jacket for your child seem overwhelming. The Sea Tow Foundation has simplified the procedure to just 4 steps to make sure you choose the life jacket that is right for your child.
Watch the video here.
STEP 1: CHECK THE LABEL FOR APPROVAL Check the label inside the life jacket to make sure it is US Coast Guard approved. Also, ensure that the life jacket is rated for the type of boating activity that your child will be participating in such as calm water canoeing or fishing from a pontoon boat vs. rougher water activities such as riding a PWC or waterskiing.
STEP 2: CHECK THE SIZE ON THE LABEL Life jackets are sized by weight and chest size, so make sure that the child’s size fits into the restrictions of the life jacket.
STEP 3: TRY IT ON Buckle and/or zip up the life jacket and make sure the straps are snug. Then, pull up on the shoulders of the life jacket from behind the child to make sure the life jacket doesn’t go above the child’s chin or ears. If it does, it’s too big and the straps should be made tighter, or the child should move to the next size down.
STEP 4: TEST THE LIFE JACKET IN THE WATER When you are near calm water, the child should try on the life jacket to see how well it floats. This will also help prevent the child from being scared if she ends up in the water unexpectedly.
REMEMBER: Life jackets aren’t like winter coats. You can’t buy a larger size and let your child eventually grow into it. If you put them in a life jacket that is too big, the child will slip out of the life jacket. Getting a life jacket that properly fits your child is critical for safety. Once your child outgrows his life jacket, you can donate it to the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Drive so that another family can borrow it for their child to use.
To learn more about the Sea Tow Foundation visit boatingsafety.com
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Heading out for a day on the family boat can be great way to spend time together, but finding ways to keep the kids occupied and happy can be challenging whether they’re toddlers or teenagers. No matter the age, it is important to involve kids in some of the aspects of boating to help them learn to be good boaters themselves one day. The Sea Tow Foundation has put together some tips to help you, and your kids, have a fantastic day on the water.
Toddler Tips
Life Jackets are a must. At no time should a toddler be out of their life jacket. Toddlers can move fast and are often unsteady on their feet, so making sure that they’re wearing a Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits correctly and has a crotch strap to keep it on is important if they should end up in the water unexpectedly so that they can be easily brought back on board. You can always borrow life jackets for free from the Sea Tow Foundation’s nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program.
Keep the trip short. Attention spans for toddlers is very minimal and good moods are also in short supply. When kids are at this age, it is a good idea to plan a short excursion that is no longer than an hour at the beginning of the boating season with the goal of working up to a couple of hours on the water at the end. Being able to get to the boat ramp quickly when the “Terrible Twos” are on full display will be a welcome relief.
Snack Decisions. A toddler can help with making the decisions of what to pack for snacks and they can even help prepare the snacks and pass them out to everyone on the boat. A plastic organizer box with divided spaces and a lid is a great boating snack container. Each divided space can hold a different snack whether that is crackers, cookies, grapes, or cheese cubes. And, these can easily fit into a cooler and then get passed out by the toddler at snack time.
Ages 4-7
Life Jackets are still important. While it may be possible to take the life jackets off briefly to change clothes or something, it is still important that kids these ages wear them while the boat is underway. Even a strong swimmer can get knocked into the water and surprised by the cold and find themselves unable to swim. However, kids these ages can help pick out their life jacket and get a favorite color or even find a life jacket with a character imprinted on it to make wearing the life jacket even more fun.
Help with counting. It is important that there are enough life jackets on board for each person and that they fit properly, so kids this age can help my counting the number of people and the number of life jackets and making sure that everyone has one that fits. A throwable ring or floating cushion should also be found and counted, too.
Fishing fun. This can be a great age to introduce your child to fishing and a make it fun. Start out by going for fish that are easier to catch and you can make it fun by helping them choose the best worm or spinner and taking a photo when they catch the big one. Practicing catch and release is important, but you should be the one releasing the fish to avoid any issues with the hook at this age. Our friends at Take Me Fishing can help you find the best fishing locations and opportunities in your area.
Ages 8-12
Pre-departure checklist. This is the perfect age to be able to start helping with getting the boat ready to leave the dock. The Sea Tow Foundation’s First Mate Checklist can be printed and on hand for each boating trip. The list includes making sure everyone has a life jacket and this includes them since the Coast Guard requires that all children under 13 years of age wear a life jacket. The checklist also includes finding the fire extinguisher, first aid kit and flares as well as checking the gas gauge, the weather forecast, and the charts for the route that you’ll be taking. Download your free copy today!
Pictures of the trip. A tween can be put in charge of taking photos of everyone on the boat as well as all of the great scenery that can be seen from the boat. And, this includes the wildlife along the banks of the river or the dolphins swimming alongside the boat out in the ocean.
Participate in watersports activities. Going tubing or wake boarding is an excellent way to enjoy time out on the water and kids in this age range are up for a fun adventure. You could even look into taking out kayaks or stand-up paddleboards so that each member of the family has the ability to go at their own speed and be up close and personal with the water.
Ages 13-17
Music playlist. A teenager would love to be put in charge of creating a playlist of music for the day on the water and making sure that there is something on the list for everyone on board. Serving as the DJ can be a lot of fun and keep the teens on their toes so that even Grandpa can find a song that he likes.
Time to drive the boat. Most states allow teens to operate a boat after taking a boating safety class, so this is a great age to be able to hand over the helm and sit back and relax while they take you on a cruise around the lake. A great online class that is interactive is available from our friends at iLearntoBoat.com and it is approved in a number of states with more being added every day.
Set the scheduleand send the invites. A teenager can be in charge of deciding when the family will head out and whether friends can come along. They can also decide when everyone will be finished with the day on the water. This includes keeping an eye on the compass bearing and the clock and knowing when they should turn around and head back before it gets dark or they’ve run out of gas. All of these are super important lessons for when they eventually get permission to take the boat out without you.
What do you think is missing from our tips? Would you add anything to our list? Let us know in the comments.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, August 8, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, August 3, 2022
A Q&A Session with Anheuser-Busch on the Sober Skipper Campaign
Sponsored Blog Post
The Sea Tow Foundation recently sat down with Nolan Sportelli who manages the Southeast Region for Anheuser-Busch to talk about their work with the Sea Tow Foundation, in particular the Sober Skipper Campaign this year.
Thank you for your support of the Sober Skipper Campaign! What outreach efforts have you recently done?
We launched our Michelob ULTRA boating campaign throughout the Southeast (AL, MS, GA, TN, NC, SC, FL) in March and this will continue to run until the end of the summer of 2022. With this campaign, we will be promoting safe boating & designating a Sober Skipper when enjoying yourself on the water. Our wholesaler partners have all the tools to be able to take this campaign out to market where we can really make an impact with consumers.
What is Anheuser-Busch’s philosophy on boating safety?
We always want to encourage and promote safe drinking when consumers are enjoying our products. This extends to the boating community. We know consumers are enjoying our products on the water, which is great, but with that it becomes our responsibility to educate those consumers on how to enjoy safely. And always designating a Sober Skipper is a key to making sure that they can be safe and have fun at the same time.
What resources do you currently have available for people to learn about boating safety?
We have developed a suite of assets for our wholesaler partners to be able to leverage out in market. These include the ‘Designate a Sober Skipper’ message with a QR Code that takes people to the website to Take the Pledge and have included it alongside our Michelob ULTRA branding. We’ve included this on signage, posters, banners, print & digital media, and a whole lot more!
What are your top boating safety tips for people who are looking to enjoy time on the water this summer?
If anyone in your group is consuming alcoholic beverages while boating or spending time on the water, make sure to designate a Sober Skipper who can be responsible for the boat and all of the people’s safety.
Be Prepared! Ensure you have all the proper equipment & safety gear for the type of boating activity that you’ll be enjoying. This includes life jackets.
Thank you for your time and your support of the Sober Skipper Campaign. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Thank you for making the Sober Skipper Campaign so easy to share with our customers. The logo and QR code are very easy to add to our signage and we know it is making a difference.
As a sponsor of the Sea Tow Foundation, Anheuser-Busch has been invited to share this content with our boating safety audience. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities for your business, please contact info@boatingsafety.com.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Video Blog
Garminwon the 2021 National Boating Industry Safety Awards in the Top Marine Gear and Equipment Manufacturer Category.
The presentation of the awards took place at MRAA’s Dealer Week last December, but Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director, recently sat down with Dave Dunn and Riley Swikard to find out a little more about their award-winning entry.
Garmin is a large company that produces aviation, automotive, marine, and personal navigation equipment and they take safety very seriously. In 2021, they launched a social media campaign to help educate customers on how to properly use their products as well as learn about general boating safety topics to help the influx of new boaters feel welcome and safe.
Learn more about Garmin and what other plans they have for new boating safety gear and boating safety education at the video linked below.
Photo Caption: Jarrod Seymour Vice President of Garmin's Marine Segment with their National Boating Industry Safety Award
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Updated: Sunday, July 10, 2022
Video Blog
Emerald Coast Marine Groupwon the 2021 National Boating Industry Safety Awards in the Top Small Marine Retailer Category.
The presentation of the awards took place at MRAA’s Dealer Week last December, but Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director, recently sat down with Shawn Talpey to find out a little more about their award-winning entry.
Emerald Coast Marine Group took an integrated approach to boating safety as they felt that this is a critical component to boat ownership, especially for first-time boaters or those with less experience so that all customers can build their confidence and allow them to enjoy the boating lifestyle for years to come.
Learn more about Emerald Coast Marine Group at the video below.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Updated: Friday, June 10, 2022
VIDEO BLOG
Kenton Smith Marketingwon the 2021 National Boating Industry Safety Awards in the Top Marine Marketing & Outreach Category.
The presentation of the awards took place at MRAA’s Dealer Week last December, but Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director, recently sat down with Wanda Kenton Smith to find out a little more about their award-winning entry involving work with the Water Sports Foundation.
The Kenton Smith Marketing team worked with the Water Sports Foundation to launch a brand new National Boating Safety Media Center on the Water Sports Foundation website. The media center hosts content including data, statistics, reports, still imagery, video, graphics, as well as a list of boating safety experts by topic who are available for interviews.
Learn more about Kenton Smith Marketing and why they were able to win this award as well as more details on their work at the video below.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Updated: Monday, May 23, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyNZoX_qfJk
VIDEO BLOG
Sea Ray Boats won the 2021 National Boating Industry Safety Awards in the Top Marine Manufacturer Category for the third year in a row.
The presentation of the awards took place at MRAA’s Dealer Week last December, but Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director, recently sat down with Caroline English to find out a little more about their most recent award-winning entry and plans for 2022.
The summer boating safety tips from Sea Ray were launched last summer and included a newsletter, social media posts, and a giveaway. In addition, Sea Ray also featured content from influencer Capt. Sandy Yawn from the Bravo Channel’s “Below Deck Mediterranean” show.
Learn more about Sea Ray Boats and why they’ve been able to win this award for three years in a row at the video below.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, May 9, 2022
Updated: Sunday, May 8, 2022
VIDEO BLOG
Lafferty Media Partners won the 2021 National Boating Industry Safety Awards in the Top Marine Media Category for their work developing and launching America’s Boating Channel for the U.S. Power Squadrons, now known as America’s Boating Club.
The presentation of the awards took place at MRAA’s Dealer Week, but Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director, recently sat down with Marty Lafferty to find out a little more about their award-winning entry and plans for 2022.
America’s Boating Channel features a growing library of custom boating safety videos showcasing content on numerous boating safety topics that is featured on a custom YouTube channel. Topics covered include fire extinguisher regulations, cold weather boating, basic marine communications, docking, anchoring, mooring, and basic operation of a boat among many others.
As Lafferty Media Partners prepares for Season Six, watch the video interview below to learn more about their award-winning efforts as well as their plans for the new season of content.
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