August is Summer Sun Safety Month, which means now is the perfect time for a boating safety refresher! When you think of boating safety, you probably only think of what’s required on boats, like life jackets or flares. What most people don’t know is that boaters should always be prepared just in case of a worst case scenario.
In this blog post, we’re going to go beyond the boating safety basics and cover water safety equipment that you may not think of, but are essential to have on every boat.
Proper Life Jacket Quantity, Sizes & Type Federal law requires that everyone under the age of 13 wear a life jacket on board and that there should be one life jacket on board for each person above that age. While these requirements are standard and in place, boaters should take it a step further and ensure that they have the right type of life jacket for their boating or water activities. For instance, vest style or inflatable life jackets work just fine for sitting in a flat water canoe, fishing in a jon boat or hanging out with your family in a pontoon boat. But, for an activity that involves higher speed or the chance of hitting the water (like riding a PWC, whitewater kayaking, or wakeboarding ), a vest-style life jacket rated for this type of activity is needed. In many cases, it may even be required to be worn while doing these activities regardless of your age. It’s also important to consider investing in high-quality life jackets that often provide improved visibility, extra comfort, more durability and added safety features, all of which increase your chance of survival in emergencies. They also offer greater versatility and specialized functionalities, making them a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking optimal protection on the water.
Extra Safety Materials
A true captain is prepared for any scenario. Having e-flares, an anchor, extra line and life rafts on the boat could prevent injuries or speed rescuers to your location in the case of an emergency.
First-Aid Kit
Many think that this is a given on any boat, but a first-aid kit is critical. When building your own first-aid kit, make sure to start with the basics, like adhesive bandages, antiseptic materials, cold packs and scissors. Adding boating specific items like aloe for sunburns, antihistamines for bug bites, and keeping everything in a water-proof bag will make sure that if you ever happen to need one of these items, you’ll be so grateful that your first-aid kit is fully stocked and ready to go!
Cell Phones and VHF Radios
While on board, it’s important to have audible and clear communication with other boaters. Your cell phone won’t work if you go off-shore and may not even work close to shore depending on locations of cell towers, so always make sure to carry a VHF Radio on board. Before leaving the dock, ensure your cell phone and VHF radio are charged so you can stay aware of any water emergencies or incoming weather alerts.
Extra Food & Drinking Water
You never know when your half day boat trip ends up turning into a 10-12 hour trip. It could be as simple as wanting to stay out longer while the fish are biting or you could have engine trouble and are waiting for assistance to arrive on a busy holiday weekend. This is why it’s important to pack extra drinking water and food – proper hydration and nourishment are important to stay aware and alert on board. It’s also important to think about what you would need if the weather suddenly got colder or it started to storm. Extra clothing, layers and blankets could help keep you warm on the boat so that a mechanical issue doesn’t turn into a medical issue, too.
Sea Tow Membership
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, which is exactly why you should also get a Sea Tow Membership. With Sea Tow, you have access to 24/7 priority on-water assistance services for every boat you own or rent. You’ll receive the most comprehensive member benefits available, and have peace of mind knowing that help is there should you ever need it.
Keep in mind that your destination, the operational characteristics of your boat and the number of people on board should influence the type of safety equipment you carry on board. The proper safety equipment ensures comfort and safety for everyone, and it’s always best to play it safe and think beyond the basics when packing safety equipment for your boat!
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, July 17, 2023
Updated: Monday, July 17, 2023
When boating with an infant, toddler or other young child, there are many things to bring on board to make boating with a baby more enjoyable for everyone on the boat. It is recommended that you provide the child with plenty of shade and keep the child out of the hot sun as much as possible. You’ll also likely want to pack plenty of diapers, bottles or drinks to keep the baby hydrated.
What is not optional is a life jacket for the baby. Even if it is uncomfortable or causes the child to cry, it is required that babies wear a properly fitted life jacket at all times when on or around a boat. This includes buckling the strap between the child’s legs so that the life jacket won’t slip off.
Many boaters also choose to bring a car seat on board the boat to provide a place for the baby to sit and/or sleep. It is important to know that boats don’t have seatbelts, so there will be nowhere to secure the car seat on the boat. It is also critical to know that car seats don’t float. Therefore, do not strap the baby into the car seat and ensure that the child is wearing a life jacket at all times, just in case the unthinkable happens.
The following video demonstration shows what happens when a car seat with a weighted baby doll wearing a life jacket enters the water. As the video shows, the car seat sinks while the baby doll floats free because it is wearing a life jacket.
A new and dangerous TikTok trend is spreading across the nation and boaters are being seriously injured or killed as a result. Known as the “boat jump challenge,” videos online show boaters jumping or purposely falling from moving boats. Hitting the water while a boat is moving is equivalent to hitting concrete after jumping from a multiple story building. As a result, this challenge is likely to cause broken bones, head injuries, or a broken neck. In addition, it seriously increases the chances of being hit with your own boat’s propeller or being run over by another boat in the water. Drowning is also a definite risk –trying to swim after any of these types of injuries would be very difficult or impossible.
Conclusion: No one is invincible, and the Boat Jump Challenge should not be tried by anyone.
As an alternative, the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Challenge is an excellent way to have fun on a boat while being safe at the same time. Plus, it gives everyone a chance to win prizes valued up to $800! To participate in the Life Jacket Challenge, simply record yourself and your friends finding and putting on a life jacket in 30 seconds or less and then post it to the social media platform of your choice with the #STFLifeJacketChallenge to be entered to win. Everyone from lacrosse players to moms have taken the challenge! You can find their videos and more details here: www.boatingsafety.com/lifejacketchallenge
Let’s all have a safe and enjoyable boating season! See you on the water!
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, July 6, 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 last Q&A blog comes to us from Cristin Plaice, Director of Business Development for Rapid Media. Rapid Media won the National Boating Industry Safety Award for Top Marine Media Outlet for the second year in a row, but for a completely new project. As a contractor for Water Sports Foundation, they worked to develop ways to reach and include new paddlers in boating safety information and education initiatives.
Congratulations on winning the National Boating Industry Safety Award! Can you please describe your winning entry for our audience?
We were contracted by the Water Sports Foundation's U.S. Coast Guard non-profit grant award entitled: “Strategic Search Engine Content Marketing Targeting America’s Highest-Risk, Most Difficult-To-Reach Paddlers.” The purpose of this work was to create a national campaign promoting safe boating behaviors with a specific focus on reaching new paddlers, who are the most at-risk group.
The campaign was based on a content marketing strategy to create and distribute content to reach this target audience with valuable safety messaging and information when they would be most interested and receptive. We know new paddlers aren’t Googling “why I should wear a life jacket” or “why I should file a float plan.” But they are searching for things like “cheap kayaks” or “best paddleboards for beginners” and “used canoes.”
We created the content the new paddlers were looking for and wove the safety messaging in and around the articles with native advertising placements. As someone Googles something like “cheap kayaks under $500” they land on our article “Best Cheap Kayaks under $500” and as they read about which kayak to buy, they are reminded to always wear a lifejacket, take a paddling safety course, paddle sober, etc.
We created and published 60 of these search engine-optimized articles each with safety messaging woven into and around the content. Rapid Media’s marketing specialists used sophisticated search engine optimization techniques to ensure each piece of content attracts and retains traffic from a highly specific target audience by providing answers to their queries on Google, Yahoo, and other search engines.
It seems so simple. Yet it was the first time new paddlers have been targeted so efficiently and effectively. This project is currently delivering more than 5.6 million paddling safety impressions specifically targeting new paddlers – the most at-risk group.
What inspired you to promote boating safety?
When we learned a few years ago just how many people are lost while paddling and how many deaths may have been preventable, we felt we had to do something.
Just a decade or two ago, the only thing on the average skier or snowboarder’s head was a beanie. But things have changed and now almost everyone in North America wears a helmet. In 2002, only around 25% of skiers wore helmets. In 2021, 90% of riders were wearing them.
As a paddlesports media company, we have the unique opportunity to reach and influence a very large audience of paddlers, so we decided to take the opportunity seriously.
We have made a commitment to promoting safe paddling behaviors through the articles we write, the photos we feature, the ads we publish, and of course our continued campaigns with the Water Sports Foundation. With our efforts, we hope to encourage all paddlers to understand and prioritize safety.
What it was like creating your award-winning project or campaign? How much time did it take? How many people were involved?
Creating this campaign was a huge team effort. Researching, planning, writing, editing and publishing quality content in a niche like paddlesports is difficult to do well. Our entire editorial, marketing and production teams were involved in the content creation process. At the same time, we called in our development team to code the native safety messaging placements. Overall, I would guess we had over fifteen people working on this project over the course of a year.
What did you learn from working on this project or campaign?
Working on this campaign reinforced how well content marketing works. Although it takes an initial investment, its ROI and value over time is well worth the effort.
I think the most difficult challenge for this project was choosing which 60 topics to select. Every year, 23 million Americans participate in paddlesports. A large portion of those people are first-time participants. Narrowing their Google searches down to only 60 topics was difficult - there are hundreds more questions to answer.
What was your biggest takeaway from working on this project or campaign?
Our biggest takeaway from working on this campaign was that it worked really well and that we would like to continue building upon the first year’s success. We were able to deliver over 9 million impressions over the course of the campaign. And unlike news pieces that have a short shelf life, these articles are evergreen so (with some minimal maintenance) they will continue to rank well forever and can continue delivering safety messages for years to come.
You can watch the award acceptance from last October in the video below.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, June 26, 2023
Updated: Friday, June 2, 2023
There are many reasons why you should designate a sober skipper when boating. You can remember these using the acronym PLUS:
Peace of mind: Knowing that there is a sober person in charge of the boat can help you relax and enjoy your time on the water. Especially because the sober skipper is not going to be drinking any alcohol or taking any drugs.
Legality: In every single state, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Designating a sober skipper can help you avoid getting legal problems because BUI is 100% preventable.
Upstanding: The Sober Skipper should be respected and appreciated by everyone for being the safe operator of the boat. In fact, everyone should thank their Sober Skipper for their willingness to help prevent boating accidents and take charge of all of the people in the boat.
Safety: Alcohol impairs judgment and coordination, which are essential for safe boating. A sober skipper is more likely to make sound decisions and be able to react quickly to unexpected situations plus they are familiar with the boat and how it operates as well as the waterways.
Designating a sober skipper is a simple way to make boating safer and more enjoyable for everyone. If you are planning on boating, make sure to designate a sober skipper before you leave the dock or launch your boat.
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.
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