As the summer boating season is well underway, the need to prevent Boating Under the Influence (BUI) accidents increases as more and more boaters take to the waterways with coolers full of alcohol. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the leading primary contributing factor to boating-related deaths is alcohol use, yet this is 100% preventable when a Sober Skipper is designated before heading out on the water.
The Sea Tow Foundation’s BUI prevention effort known as the Sober Skipper Campaign has been in existence since 2015 and the concept is catching on with boaters because the number of boating accidents, deaths and injuries have all decreased since that time. However, more efforts are needed as we work to achieve the goal of “Heading to Zero” accidents, deaths and injuries related to BUI. The Sea Tow Foundation believes that alcohol use should never be the reason why someone doesn’t come home from a day on the water. This is why the Sea Tow Foundation encourages all boaters to take the Sober Skipper Pledge.
The Sea Tow Foundation has developed a number of free materials that provide the education, tools and resources needed to eliminate BUI. A short and engaging PSA video was developed to target the key audience involved in most BUI accidents and it can be shared easily on social media or through email. A free downloadable Sober Skipper Resource Kit provides key messages, talking points, media relations tools and other details. Sober Skipper Aluminum signage and many other new and updated Sober Skipper materials are now available for a low flat rate shipping price. These items include the updated yellow Sober Skipper wristband that can be used as a reminder that the boater has taken the Sober Skipper Pledge and the updated floating yellow Sober Skipper keychain was added to serve as another reminder as well as a place to put the boat keys. The newest item available to request is the yellow Sober Skipper whistle that comes on a coiled wristband. Not only does the whistle meet carriage requirements for a sound-producing device, but it is a great reminder of the Sober Skipper Pledge. Packages of the wristbands, keychains and wristbands are available for distribution to boating safety classes, yacht clubs, community organizations, and they can also be used in events like boat shows and safety fairs to spread the Sober Skipper message and help the Sea Tow Foundation work to eliminate BUI for our waterways this summer.
Visit our online store to find these items and many more available that meet the Sea Tow Foundation’s vision of a world where all boaters are safe and responsible someday soon.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Updated: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Many towns and cities around the country will be firing off spectacular community fireworks displays over the water on holidays like July 4th and New Year's Eve. One of the best places to watch these spectacular shows is from a boat. But these festive holiday evening displays can cause crowded, disorienting and smoky conditions on the water. If you are thinking of taking your boat out to watch the fireworks, follow these 10 tips from the Sea Tow Foundation to make sure the holiday celebration is safe for everyone.
1. Don’t Drink and Boat. Boating Under the Influence is the leading cause of all boating accidents, incidents and deaths. Always be or designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock. This individual will be responsible for returning the boat and its passengers safely to shore after the fireworks are over. Take the Sober Skipper Pledge.
2. Wear Your Life Jacket. Make sure everyone on board the boat is wearing a life jacket that fits them properly. Navigating at night in a crowd of other boats amid smoke from a fireworks display can be just as dangerous as boating in inclement weather or fog. Ensure the life jacket is worn over the top of any sweatshirts or jackets. If you need to borrow a life jacket, find one of our nationwide life jacket loaner stations.
3. Watch Your Weight. Don’t overload the boat with passengers. The number of seats available on board is not always the best indicator of capacity. Look for the weight capacity plate on the transom or by the helm; you can also look up the passenger capacity in the builder’s manual.
4. Navigate With Caution. Remember that visual navigation marks that you rely on during the day may be invisible at night. Chart your route to the on-water fireworks viewing zone in advance and use GPS-enabled electronics to help you find it Also, ensure your running and anchor lights are working properly.
5. Rules For Rafting-Up. If you are rafting up to other vessels to watch the fireworks, have fenders and lines ready as you approach the raft-up, and tell your passengers to keep their entire body inside the boat at all times.
6. Leave It To The Experts. Keep all store-bought fireworks at home and off the boat. Fireworks should only be lit on a flat and level surface; a boat is not stable enough because it will rock and move in the water. In addition, fiberglass is flammable, and the boat’s engine and fuel can pose a serious fire risk when sparks and open flames are present.
7. Flares Are For Emergencies Only. Never fire emergency flares in place of fireworks. They are not intended for this use and often burn hotter and faster than fireworks. It is also unlawful to make a false call for help; you could face severe fines and/or jail time.
8. Stifle The Sparks. Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water handy to put out any sparks that might drift over to your boat from the fireworks display.
9. Sit Back and Relax. Don’t rush to get home; let some of the boat traffic clear out before you raise anchor.
10. Listen Up! Obey U.S. Coast Guard-designated fireworks safety zones and follow their orders or the orders of other local marine authorities – they are only out there to protect you! Details concerning the nature of the fireworks event will be published in Local Notices to Mariners and via Broadcast Notice to Mariners over VHF-FM band radio.
Do you have any other tips to add? Let us know 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,
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Updated: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
No matter what you are doing to enjoy your time on the water: boating, paddlesports (like kayaking or stand up paddleboarding), fishing, riding PWC (personal watercraft) and more, there is a life jacket to best fit the situation, your body type and your age.
First of all, there are lots of different words for life jackets. Some people call them life vests or make lifejackets all one word. The proper term is a personal flotation device or PFD. And there are different types of life jackets as well depending on the activity that you will be taking part in while on the water. All of that information is detailed more in another blog post about the new Life Jacket Labels.
While there are hundreds of different styles and types of life jackets, there are essentially two wearable versions to choose from: foam and inflatable. But do you really know what would work best for you? For some insight into the topic of foam v. inflatable life jackets, the Sea Tow Foundation spoke to its partners at Onyx (also known as Absolute Outdoors), who have supplied more than 100,000 life jackets for the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program. A chart is included below with an easy side-by side breakdown of the differences between foam and inflatable life jackets.
No matter what life jacket you buy and wear, storing it properly can make all the difference in terms of how long it will last. Absolute Outdoor recommends storing life jackets in a shaded, indoor location to prevent fading and weakening of material. In addition, life jackets should be thoroughly dried before being stored to prevent mold and mildew. If treated well, a life jacket can last 7-10 years.
The U.S. Coast Guard requires at least one wearable life jacket in the correct size for each person be readily available on a recreational boat meaning that you can get to it quickly without having to dig through boxes and bags. But, if you choose an inflatble life jacket, it must be worn to be counted. Through our Life Jacket Loaner Stations, we work to provide boaters with easy access to foam life jackets in infant, child, youth, adult and adult XL that can be borrowed and returned free of charge.
“We are incredibly pleased to partner with the Sea Tow Foundation in providing life jackets for their nationwide life jacket loaner stations,” said Len Nelson, Director of Sales – Commercial & Industrial at Absolute Outdoor. “Our goal is to see people wearing life jackets – not just having them on the boat, and the Foundation has done a wonderful job providing quality jackets for people to use and enjoy on their day on the water in their nationwide life jacket loaner program.”
No one ever thinks that they will be in a situation where a life jacket is necessary. Being a strong swimmer will not make a difference if you are unexpectedly forced into the water and it is possible that you could get injured and be unable to swim. Rarely will a boating accident allow you the time to put on a life jacket if you were not already wearing one.
Ultimately, the best life jacket is the one that you are going to wear the moment you get on or near the water. Wearing a life jacket can give you and your family the peace of mind for a safe and fun day on the water.
In this chart, you’ll find an easy side-by-side breakdown of the differences between foam and inflatable life jackets. Links to purchase the life jackets are listed below the chart.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Friday, June 2, 2023
Updated: Thursday, June 8, 2023
Hurricane season has just started, but as many people know, giant storms can decide to take aim at any time throughout the year. While the potential impact and landfall of these storms is unknown, boaters should still be prepared and know what steps need to be taken well in advance.
With this in mind, the Sea Tow Foundation offers boaters the following tips f on how to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.
GET STARTED NOW:
1. Ensure Your Boat Is Insured
A boat that is damaged by a hurricane can wind up costing far more to fix than a marine insurance policy costs annually. Review your boat policy’s requirements and be sure to comply with them. Boat owners whose insurance requires them to relocate their vessels out of a hurricane zone should do so by the date specified in their policy. Call your insurance company and get details of what is covered and what isn't.
2. Have A Plan
Most insurance providers require a formal written Storm Plan detailing where and how your boat must be secured during a major storm, like a hurricane. Designate a responsible person to execute the plan if you are out of town when a hurricane threatens. And, also have a plan for the people and pets in your life as well.
3. Secure Your Boat or move your boat
Check with your marina, storage facility or the owner of the private dock where your boat is moored to be sure the vessel can remain there during a hurricane, if that is your plan. If it can stay, know the procedure for securing not only your boat, but those boats docked around it. A boat that breaks loose in a hurricane can wind up damaging piers, pilings, bridges, buoys, and other boats.
If you have to move your boat from its current location in the event of a hurricane, decide where you are going to have it hauled before a hurricane is forecast. And make arrangements with that location so that they know your boat will be stored there. You can check with your local Sea Tow operator to see what pre-storm haul-out services are offered in your area.
4. Boat Photoshoot Time
Make a video inventory of all valuable fixed items, such as marine electronics, that you cannot remove from your boat. Store all the boat’s documents, including your marine insurance policy and boat registration information, in a secure place that is off the vessel. This way, if you need to make an insurance claim, everything is shown in the condition it was in before the hurricane and you have the paperwork you need to prove it is owned and insured.
5. Keep An Eye To The Sky
Closely monitor local and national weather services throughout the summer and early fall months. This includes listening to NOAA Weather Radio and the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov..
Can you think of any other tips that should be included? Let us know in the comments!
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Updated: Tuesday, June 6, 2023
This year, we have been showcasing each winner of the National Boating Industry Safety Awards via an individualized blog that answers questions posed to each winner. This will allow our readers to get to know each of the winners and see some of their winning materials, too.
Our next Q&A blog comes to us from Rachel Piacenza, Senior Director of Marketing for the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) whose media and PR Team Colle McVoy won the National Boating Industry Safety Award for their work on the “Get on Board” campaign. There were a number of excellent entries in the Award contest and, as a result, the Sea Tow Foundation’s Boating Safety Advisory Council made the decision to award a second place in the PR, Advertising and Marketing Efforts to Colle McVoy.
Congratulations on winning the National Boating Industry Safety Award! Can you please describe your winning entry for our audience?
On behalf of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), Colle McVoy had submitted the consumer-facing campaign “Get On Board” for consideration for the National Boating Industry Safety Award. This campaign not only encouraged people to get on the water and go fishing but to do so safely through imagery that showed adults and children wearing life jackets.
How does winning this award help your company? What partnerships, media coverage or opportunities have you gotten because of it?
Winning this award has helped Colle McVoy, RBFF and other industry members keep the momentum alive to bring more active social families, females and underrepresented groups that haven’t been historical shown as anglers or boaters onto the water, even more than a year after our campaign has first launched. It’s been especially beneficial in keeping our campaign relevance alive with industry and state members as we work with our partners to get even more people out on the water safely. This award brings great momentum as we embark into our new campaign that is expected to launch this spring.
What inspired you to promote boating safety?
Promoting boating safety came as a natural element to our campaign since we are reaching new audiences who may be less familiar with all the ins and outs of boating and fishing. If we are asking more people to get on the water and participate in these great sports, we wanted them to do so safely. Additionally, many states have their own requirements, regulations and online sources, which can feel daunting to new boaters and fishers. We wanted to give people as many tools and resources as possible all in one organized spot. On the website at takemefishing.org there are some great new resources that RBFF has implemented.
We also partnered with various partners and influencers to create social media content to promote boating safety in a fun, educational and bite sized way.
Did you set goals and objectives when you started your project or campaign? If so, what were they and did you meet those goals and objectives?
We set our measure of success on the number of views to safety-related content on the takemefishing.org website and social media platforms. From July 2021 through June 2022, we saw a total of 388,979 page views, which was a number we were very excited about! Our “Get On Board” campaign has propelled forward other metrics as well. For the first year of the campaign, we had 3.4 billion impressions, 107% average increase in digital traffic on Discover Boating’s website, 44,000 new boat buyers entering the market during the busiest selling period (statistic from NMMA), and 2 million likes, comments, shares, views and clicks generated by social influencers.
What did you learn from working on this project or campaign?
We learned that to really have a successful campaign and meet our goals, we also had to get other industry members excited and involved in our campaign. In partnership with RBFF, we created assets that were distributed to state and industry partners and organizations, including digital and print PSA materials.
Congratulations again to the RBFF and Colle McVoy on winning 2nd place for PR, Advertising and Marketing Effort in the 2022 National Boating Industry Safety Awards! You can watch the award acceptance from last October in the video below.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Friday, May 19, 2023
Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2023
If you’ve been to the store lately to purchase a life jacket or have borrowed a life jacket from one of our 1,000+ nationwide life jacket loaner stations, you may have noticed a change in how the inside of the life jackets look. This is because a new labeling system has been implemented and we thought we’d answer some questions we’ve seen boaters like you ask related to this.
Why did the life jacket label need to change? The new labels have harmonized the standards for use in the U.S., Canada and Europe. This means that the new labels have taken the requirements for many countries and combined them into a simple way of understanding how the life jackets are approved for use so that the same life jacket can be used when boating in multiple countries.
Are the new life jackets still approved by the U.S. Coast Guard? Yes, they are still approved, but the location of this information has been moved to a new area on the life jacket label. This new section also shows that it meets the requirements of Transport Canada. (Graphic)
What is different about the new life jacket labels? The new life jacket labels feature less wording and more icons or pictures to explain their use. In addition, the 5 “types” of life jackets (Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV, and Type V) are no longer used and instead there are just 2 categories – wearable or throwable. Wearable life jackets come in sizes as they did before, but the chest size and user weight are now shown in both Metric measurements (centimeters or kilograms) and Imperial measurements (inches and pounds). The wearable life jackets are also divided into 5 different numerical buoyancy categories: 50, 70, 100, 150 and 275 Newtons. A Newton is unit of measurement being used for buoyancy with the higher numbers providing the most flotation.
How do I read the new life jacket labels? The Newton numerical graphic shows the level of flotation with the higher numbers providing the most flotation for high waves or offshore activity where rescuers would take more time to get to you. The lower Newton numbers offer the wearer more movement and comfort and should be used in calm waters or near shore activities where a rescue can take place quickly. (Add graphic)
The turning graphics feature a circular arrow that indicates it will turn most wearers face-up. The slash through the graphic indicates the life jacket doesn’t have this feature.
There are 4 graphics indicating the type of water activity that is approved or not approved for the life jacket to be worn while doing: personal watercraft, towed water sports, tubing or whitewater paddling.
The last graphics explain how to wash and care for the life jackets. These labels are found in clothing as well.
Are the life jackets still classified by size?
Yes, there is still an infant, child, youth, adult and adult XL size for life jackets although these words are now printed in English as well as French and Spanish.
Can I still use life jackets that have the old labels? Yes. As long as these life jackets meet the requirements to be “in serviceable condition” according to the U.S. Coast Guard. This means that the straps, zippers and buckles all work and there are no rips or tears in the fabric. For more details on this topic, check out our other blog post on How to Inspect Your Life Jacket.
Are there any other changes to know about regarding life jackets? The U.S. Coast Guard has not changed the carriage requirements for life jackets in that every boat must have a properly fitting life jacket for each person on board with children under 13 years of age required to wear a life jacket at all times while the boat is underway. The laws requiring when someone should wear a life jacket in terms of the age of the boater, the type of boat being used, or the need to wear a life jacket during specific cold weather months on state waters varies from state to state and you can find the most up-to-date state boating law information on the NASBLA website.
National Safe Boating Week is a week-long, focused event that brings awareness to safe boating before the Memorial Day weekend and the kick-off to the summer boating season. This year, National Safe Boating Week is celebrated from May 20-26, 2023. The Sea Tow Foundation connected with some of the nationwide Sea Tow captains to share 7 boating safety tips that boaters may not think about, but should consider before enjoying a day on the water.
Make a float plan. A float plan explains where a boater is headed and when he or she plans to return, and it should be given to a trusted friend or family member staying on land. This is important in case an emergency happens, or the boater does not arrive back on time, because authorities will know where to focus their search efforts.
– Capt. Christian Orfanello, Sea Tow New Orleans (LA)
Carry communications devices. A cell phone won’t work in many places out on the water, even when you can still see land. That’s why it is important to carry a VHF radio that you can use to call for help. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a larger Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) can also be used in an emergency to help rescuers find you.
– Capt. Mike DeGenero, Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor (FL)
Rule of thirds. Always make sure you have enough fuel for the ride home by following the rule of thirds. Use 1/3 of your gas to head out to your destination and 1/3 to come back, but then you have another 1/3 for any unplanned events.
– Capt. Ann Merritt, Sea Tow Southern Maryland (MD)
Use navigation lights. Even if you don’t think you’ll be out after dark, it is important to have the proper navigation lights for your boat and ensure that they are working before you leave the boat ramp or dock. Lights let other boats see you in the dark and can also help you find your way back.
– Capt. Greg Dreischmeyer, Sea Tow San Diego (CA)
Always have an anchor ready. When things go wrong on a boat, it can happen quickly and being able to anchor your boat is an important way to stay safe. But your anchor is no good to you if it is tangled up at the bottom of a storage compartment: always have the anchor ready to drop swiftly. Keep the end of the anchor line secured to your boat, so you don’t lose the whole length. Anchor from the bow of your boat, as opposed to the stern, to help keep any waves from swamping the boat.
– Capt. Ethan Maass, Sea Tow South Shore (MA)
Slow down. You don’t need to race to get out to the water. It is always there, and the fish will be there, too. Take your time, slow down and enjoy the boating experience. Plus, you’re less likely to hit something submerged in the water, run aground or have other issues if you are proceeding at a slower pace.
– Capt. Jim Pulley, Sea Tow Table Rock Lake (MO)
7. Wear a Life Jacket. The Sea Tow Foundation recently launched the Life Jacket Challenge to raise awareness about the critical need to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. By simulating the rapid onset of on-water emergencies, the challenge encourages boaters of all ages to try and don a life jacket in under 30 seconds. You wouldn’t think of trying to put on a seatbelt in the middle of a car accident, so why should you think you have the time to put on a life jacket in a boating emergency? Try the challenge and post your video whether you succeed or not for a chance to win prizes all summer long!
-Gail R. Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director
Can you find and put on a life jacket in 30 seconds? Try the Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Challenge and be eligible for prizes all summer long. Find out more at: https://www.boatingsafety.com/lifejacketchallenge
This year marks the 15th anniversary that the Sea Tow Foundation has received grant funding from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, as administered by the US Coast Guard to support their Life Jacket Loaner Program which is now the largest of its kind in the world. This year, that funding allowed the Sea Tow Foundation to purchase more than 5,600 life jackets in sizes ranging from infant to adult extra-large for establishing new life jacket loaner stations around the country and replenishing existing stations.
Every year, the Sea Tow Foundation opens a new grant application cycle, allowing marine businesses, communities, and organizations to request Life Jacket Loaner Station building kits and/or life jackets. In the 2023 application cycle, a record-breaking 258 applications were submitted requesting a total of 20,852 life jackets. The quantity of life jackets that the Sea Tow Foundation can award through donations and grant funding was a quarter of that, and the Sea Tow Foundation purchases the life jackets from Onyx/Absolute Outdoor nearly a year in advance of their use so that there is time to have them manufactured, custom-printed, and shipped. After reviewing the applications, 140 groups were selected to receive life jackets from the Sea Tow Foundation. Additionally, 50 grant-funded Life Jacket Loaner Stand building kits will be sent out.
Due to the immense volume of applications for their nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program, the Sea Tow Foundation knew that not every group that applied would be able to receive life jackets and that the decision-making process would be difficult. Because of this, the Sea Tow Foundation asked the boating industry to donate new or gently-used life jackets to meet the demands and safeguard the lives of boaters. In response, Onyx/Absolute Outdoorgraciously donated 447 brand-new life jackets that will ensure that 15 additional groups will be able to host Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations across 13 states.
Are you interested in donating new or gently used life jackets? Learn more here.
Traditional marine flares expire 42 months after the manufacture date. As a result, boaters need to find a way to dispose of their flares every 3 years and they can’t be thrown into the trash because they contain chemicals which are hazardous. Because of this, please consider purchasing an E-Flare instead of pyrotechnic flares the next time you are shopping for boating supplies. They are approved for use as a visual distress signal and the light is much brighter than a traditional flare and lasts much longer, pus they never expire!
The Sea Tow Foundation has provided a list of 4 options to help find a flare disposal facility near you.
Contact the household hazardous waste management facility near you and ask if they accept marine flares for disposal.
Contact your local fire department's non-emergency number and ask if they accept marine flares for disposal.
Contact your state boating law enforcement agency and ask them if they know of any flare disposal options in your state.
If you know of an existing flare disposal location or a one-time flare disposal event not listed on our website, please let the Sea Tow Foundation know!
After receiving an overwhelming number of applications for our nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program, we called on the boating industry to donate life jackets to help fulfill all of the requests and save boaters’ lives across the country. Brunswick Corporation, a global leader in the marine industry, answered the call and has generously donated 868 life jackets to be repurposed in the Sea Tow Foundation’sLife Jacket Loaner Program.
Brunswick’s donated life jackets came specifically from Land ‘N’ Sea warehouses located in Pompano Beach, Florida; Houston, Texas; Detroit, Michigan and Eagan, Minnesota. Land ‘N’ Sea is one of over 60 of Brunswick’s brands and is a full-service, wholesale distributor servicing the boating and recreational vehicle industry. All 868 of the life jackets are from their brand,Seachoice, which is a private label exclusive to Land ‘N’ Sea.
“Safety is our number one priority both on and off the water,” said Mike Conners, Land ‘N’ Sea President. “We are thrilled to participate in the Sea Tow Foundation’s mission to make the water safer for everyone and the donation of Seachoice life jackets to aid in their mission was a perfect way for us to continue to support our great friends at the Sea Tow Foundation.”
The 868 Land ‘N’ Sea life jackets are being distributed for immediate use in Florida and Texas and will be ready to use during the upcoming boating season in Michigan and Minnesota.
If you have brand new or gently used life jackets that you would like to donate to a life jacket loaner station near you, use the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Drive online formand we’ll be in touch about a local life jacket loaner station that is in need of more life jackets. You can also find out more in this video blog about how to inspect your gently used life jacket to know if it is in good shape to donate.
Photo Captions:
Top left: Bart Shanks from Hub’s Yacht Club and Marina in Minnesota with donated SeaChoice life jackets.
Top right: Willard Franklin III form Four W's Fishing Team in Houston, TX with a LandNSea employee.
Bottom left: Four W's participants wearing the donated life jackets in Houston, TX
Bottom right: The City of Algonac, MI showing their donated life jackets.
Blog Home
All Blogs
