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.

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

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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

1. 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!
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. Set the schedule and 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.

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.

1. 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.

    

2. 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.

    

3. 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!

    

4. 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.

Video Blog

Emerald Coast Marine Group won 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.

Sponsored Blog Post

Before leaving on that epic trailer-boating adventure you've been planning all winter, take the time to inspect your boat trailer. Towing your boat is a great way to enjoy your summer vacation and explore new waters. Having the proper trailer, and keeping it in top shape, will help ensure that you and your boat reach your destination and return safely.

You can bet that some part of the boat trailer requires maintenance, especially one used in saltwater. Before your vacation, take these 6 steps suggested by Yamaha to make sure your trailer is ready to roll:

1. Inspect the tires. Make sure they are properly inflated. If the tires are five or more years old, replace them, no matter how the tread or sidewalls appear, as trailer tires rot from the inside. And don’t forget the spare tires.

2. Wheels and Seals are next. Trailer wheel bearing and seals are trouble-prone, so have these completely serviced, packed with fresh lube, and capped with a bearing protector before a long trip.

3. Put on the brakes. Malfunctioning trailer brakes can also be problematic. Having the trailer brakes and surge-brake actuator inspected and serviced before a long trip is always a good idea.

4. Light it up. Trailer lights are a constant source of maintenance. Make sure your trailer running, brake, clearance, and turn signal lights are operating correctly, regardless of whether you plan to drive at night or not.

5. Jacks, no jumping needed. In addition, look at your vehicle's factory jack to ensure it will work for the boat trailer, too. If it won't fit under or sufficiently raise the trailer in case of a flat, you'll need a separate jack. Make sure you have a lug wrench that will fit the lug nuts on the trailer wheels in case you need to fix a flat.

6. Check out the rest of the trailer. Inspect and, if necessary, adjust the trailer coupler, trailer safety chains, trailer-lights plug, bow-winch strap, bow safety chain, and transom straps. Stop every few hours on a long haul to re-check these items.

Yamaha is one of the largest manufacturers of trailer boats in the United States, and all Yamaha 19-foot to 25-foot boats come standard with a premium trailer, numbering in the thousands each year.

If you own a Yamaha boat and have questions about your boat trailer, there are hundreds of Yamaha Boat dealerships across the United States to assist you when you are away from home. Find one near you at https://www.yamahaboats.com/.

As a sponsor of the Sea Tow Foundation, Yamaha Boats 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.