Posted By Gail Kulp,
Friday, January 6, 2023
Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2023
This year, we are 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 first Q&A blog comes to us from The Qualified Captain, a social media brand followed by over 980,000 people on Instagram making them the largest boating-related social media influencer. Most people don’t know that Aaron Stasiak is the man behind The Qualified Captain and he has provided his answers to these questions for us.
Congratulations on winning the National Boating Industry Safety Award! Can you please describe your winning entry for our audience?
Thank you! We won the Social Media Boating Safety Influencer award. With our big popularity on social media, we utilize our following to promote boating safety tips.
How does winning this award help The Qualified Captain? What partnerships, media coverage or opportunities have you gotten because of it?
This award helped us by showing our fans that we really do care about our fellow mariners, and that boating safety is a major concern of ours. If we can utilize our platform to remind people what can happen on the water, then we will do whatever it takes to keep the message going. We have partnered with a few big companies that have key tools on the market that can help you be safer on the water. We promote those products, and as a result, have received a lot of good social media coverage for doing so.
What inspired you to promote boating safety?
I got inspired to do this by noticing how common the easily preventable mistakes were being made. We want to lower the number of accidents, and deaths on the water.
Did you set goals and objectives when you started The Qualified Captain? If so, what were they and did you meet those goals and objectives?
Our goal for the past couple years is to do whatever it takes to remind people of the potential dangers of being on the water, and how to prevent common mistakes. We did so by sharing the sad but true stories, promoting new helpful equipment, explaining the benefits of having a Sea Tow membership, sharing boat education resources, and offering our trauma kits (shown above in the photo).Knowing that we are the most popular influencer on social media in this industry, I felt like it was my obligation to do whatever we can to promote boating safety. We share stories, explain new regulations, and educate new boaters. We also saw a number of deaths on the water in the past 12 months. I wouldn't call these goals, but just a daily duty that we provide. An example of an educational video that we've produced is included below:
Are you working on any future boating safety projects or campaigns? If so, is there anything you can share about what you’re planning to do?
Yes! We have a really sad but important story from a young boy who witnessed a death on the water. We are teaming up with him, and a few other partners to create a very good non-profit that will help provide just one simple piece of equipment to all local docks, waterways, and boat ramps that could help save a life. Stay tuned.
Congratulations again to The Qualified Captain on winning the 2022 National Boating Industry Safety Award as the top Social Media Boating Safety Influencer! You can also check out the video of him accepting the award back in October below.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Updated: Friday, December 2, 2022
The gift-giving season is upon us and it’s always tough to find a gift for certain people in your family. But, if that family member is a boater, we’ve got 5 great ideas to help you shop.
Automatic Inflatable Life Jacket – These are truly life-saving devices that are low profile and light weight. In fact, many boaters don’t even realize that they are on because they are so comfortable! However, if a boater is knocked overboard or slips and falls off the dock, the cartridge will automatically inflate the life jacket and bring the person to the surface where they can breathe and call for help. Just be aware that the U.S. Coast Guard restricts these for use only be people ages 16 and over and they must be worn to count toward carriage requirements.
E-Flare – A relatively new item on the market is the electronic flare. These devices are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to replace traditional flares for emergency signaling by boaters. An E-Flare is 10 times brighter than a traditional flare, it doesn’t expire and need to be replaced every few years like a traditional flare, it floats and still works, and it won’t cause burns to people or equipment like a traditional flare. Plus, the light from an E-Flare lasts for hours compared to the 2-3 minutes that a traditional flare burns.
Satellite Communication Device– Getting help in an emergency is critical for boaters. Out on the water, cell phones are unreliable, but a personal locator beacon like ACR’s ResQLink is always able to get a signal if a boater has a good view of the sky. And the Garmin InReach Mini can also send a text message in a non-emergency letting loved ones know that you will be 30 minutes late for dinner.
Nautical Charts – Boating in unknown waters is challenging, but even the local waterways can change as storms or tides move navigational buoys from time to time. A subscription to the Navionics Boating App can serve as “Your Guide on the Water.” Updates are made daily and the app features charts, markers, weather and wind forecasts, tides, currents, sonar for fishing or diving, and turn-by-turn directions from one location to another on the water. Find subscription details here.
Sea Tow Membership – Knowing that local Sea Tow captains are standing by 24/7/365 can give boaters the peace of mind that they will be taken care of. Whether a boater needs advice on the best places to fish, has run out of gas, or is having mechanical problems with the boat, members get priority service so that you can get back to enjoying your day on the water even faster. Get a Sea Tow membership here.
*The Sea Tow Foundation may receive compensation as an affiliate of Amazon’s for purchases made with some of these links.
When it comes to flares, many boaters may not be aware that now there are options. Hand held pyrotechnic flares are what you traditionally find on boats as they have been the only option until recently. Handheld flares expire 42 months after their manufacture date and should be stored in a cool dry place. To light a pyrotechnic hand-held flare, remove the plastic cap and hold it in one hand. Strike the end of the cap against the striker tip of the flare and keep it pointed away from you, the boat, and other equipment. Hand-held flares are both a day and night visual distress signals and burn for roughly 2 minutes. It is recommended to keep a pair of protective gloves in your flare kit to protect your hands from burning slag.
In the past few years, many manufacturers started offering Coast Guard certified electronic flares (or e-flares) as an alternative to the traditional pyrotechnic kind. An e-flare serves as your night time distress signal. Each e-flare will come with an orange distress flag that will be used as your day signal. E-flares are as easy to operate as a flashlight and do not expire. They 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, November 18, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Would you ever get into a car with a drunk driver? Definitely not. But what about a boat, where the operator has had a few drinks? That’s where the lines have often become blurred.
Boating Under the Influence is a widespread issue, and it is the leading cause of all fatal boating accidents. However, BUI is not only illegal in every state, but it’s 100% preventable. Drinking and driving is taken very seriously, with people assigning designated drivers or taking an Uber when alcohol has been involved. In fact, actions like this have become second-nature for cars, but the water is a different story, and we have to do something about it.
You can be a part of changing this narrative by taking the pledge to always have a Sober Skipper behind the helm. That means pledging to either be or designate the Sober Skipper before you leave the dock. The operator of the boat will remain 100% drug and alcohol free to ensure that the boat is operated safely and everyone on board stays safe as well. Take the pledge, and help keep the water a safe and fun place for everyone.
Since the start of the Sober Skipper Campaign, more than 131,000 boaters have taken the Sober Skipper pledgeand BUI accidents have fallen from 108 deaths and 248 injuries reported in 2014 to 86 and 186, respectively in 2021.
Join the Sea Tow Foundation as we work to achieve the goal of “Heading to Zero”– that's zero BUI accidents, zero alcohol related boating deaths and zero drunk skippers behind the wheel. BUI is 100% preventable and the Sea Tow Foundation believes that BUI should nevre be the reason someone doesn't come home from a day on the water.
Spread the word about the importance of Sober Skippers by sharing this PSA video.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Updated: Friday, November 11, 2022
Sunday, November 13th is World Kindness Day and we are celebrating by asking you to help us expand our Life Jacket Loaner Program with a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation. A brand-new life jacket costs $25 and, during the month of November, MarineMax is matching all donations to the Sea Tow Foundation. So, your $25 donation would actually be $50 and would provide 2 life jackets to add to a loaner station!
MarineMax is committed to ensuring everyone can enjoy their boat to the fullest with classes, events and more. As a demonstration of their commitment to boating safety, MarineMax is matching donations made to the Sea Tow Foundation up to $5,000 through the end of November.
If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Sea Tow Foundation and have MarineMax match it during this time frame, please visit www.boatingsafety.com/MarineMaxDonationMatch.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, November 8, 2022
A flare gun is made out of plastic and is used to discharge aerial flare cartridges. To load, push the barrel away from the hammer, place a flare cartridge into the barrel, and close it. To fire the gun, push the button on the side, pull back the hammer, aim up to the sky, and pull the trigger. An aerial flare is able to be used as both a day and night visual distress signal. Be aware that the firing of an aerial flare is very loud and safety is critical. Always be cautious where you are pointing the flare gun and of any people around you. Once launched, the light from the flare is only visible for 5 seconds, usually on it's trajectory back down towards the water. As with all pyrotechnic flares, aerial flare cartridges expire 42 months from their manufacture date so be sure to check yours on a regular basis.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Updated: Friday, October 28, 2022
The Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Program Grant Application is now open and receiving applications requesting life jackets and loaner stand building kits for the 2023 summer boating season.
The Life Jacket Loaner Program is funded through the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Sea Tow Foundation has provided over 90,000 life jackets that boaters can borrow and return at no charge since the program started in 2008. There are now life jacket loaner stations in all 50 states as well as in Washington, DC, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands.
Anyone who is passionate about boating safety and would like to host a life jacket loaner station in their local community is welcome to apply. We have a limited number of loaner stand building kits available, but life jackets are available to host a new life jacket loaner station or replenish an existing one.
If you filled out the online waiting list application, that does not replace the new application. The purpose of that was merely to be contacted if life jackets had become available during the off season. Please fill out the new application to be considered for new life jackets for next summer.
For more details or to apply, please visit the application page.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Monday, October 24, 2022
Updated: Monday, October 24, 2022
There are multiple Coast Guard certified E-Flare options that you can use to replace traditional flares.When an E-Flare flashes the S-O-S signal, it is at least 5 times brighter than a traditional flare and an E-Flare light lasts a lot longer.
A traditional flare lasts only 2 minutes while an E-Flare is required to continue flashing for at least 2 hours with many lasting up to 20 hours. For daytime use, all E-Flares come with a distress flag.From a cost perspective, traditional flares cost $30-50, but need to be replaced when they expire 42 months after manufacturing.A basic E-Flare costs $65 to $100 with only batteries needing to be replaced periodically.
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,
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, October 18, 2022
The Sea Tow Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting boating safety, along with the Sea Tow Foundation’s Boating Safety Advisory Councilhave announced the winners of their fourth annual National Boating Industry Safety Awards. The awards recognize efforts to promote safety on the water within the for-profit sector of the boating industry.
The awards were presented online to each of the winners on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 following the cancellation of IBEX due to Hurricane Ian.
THE WINNERS OF THE 2022 NATIONAL BOATING INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARDS:
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.
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