The winners of the 2025 National Boating Safety Awards were announced on October 8, 2025 at IBEX in Tampa, FL in collaboration with the Sea Tow Foundation’s  Boating Safety Advisory Council. Now in its seventh year, the awards highlight exceptional safety efforts and initiatives led by the for-profit sector of the boating industry.

Highlights of the 2025 awards include:

The Community Boating and Education Program Award is presented to a company that provides outstanding classroom, virtual, or on-water boating education, benefiting the entire boating community.

The award was presented to Freedom Boat Club for their Expanded Member Safety Training: Virtual + On-Water Orientation Program. Within 12 months of launch, the club grew its safety training by 120%, successfully reaching more members through this new hybrid training model.

An Honorable Mention was presented to Causeway Marine for partnering with Safety First Boating School to host New Jersey’s mandatory Boating Safety Certificate Courses in their showroom.

The Gear, Equipment & Accessories Manufacturer Award recognizes a company that demonstrates excellence in promoting boating safety through its products and outreach efforts.

Garmin received this year’s award for its 2025 Safe Boating Campaign, which utilized blog content, e-blasts, and presentations to promote safety messaging around National Safe Boating Week. Garmin also partnered with The Qualified Captain, Katie Sawyer, and Clay Cowart, reaching 1.7 million followers through social media giveaways and outreach.

The Marine Retailer Award honors a company that goes above and beyond to promote boating safety alongside the products and services it offers.

Strong’s Marine was honored for its Women on the Water Series, which empowered women in the boating community to feel safe and confident on the water.

The Marine Trade Association Award is given to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting boating safety through education, outreach, or advocacy on behalf of the industry.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) received this year’s award for its 2025 Discover Boating Video Series, produced in partnership with Progressive Insurance. The campaign addressed key safety topics including kids on board, pre-season prep, float plans, life jackets, and sound signals through a highly effective multi-channel approach that included social media, email, PSAs, and more.

The Media Outlet Award recognizes a company or organization that promotes boating safety through impactful media efforts benefiting both the boating industry and boaters themselves.

Celebrating 15 years and over 780 episodes, this year’s award goes to Bob’s No Wake Zone Boating Radio Show for its long-standing commitment to boating safety. The featured episode, Revival of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Lake of the Ozarks, MO, reflects the show's ongoing commitment to advancing boating safety throughout the Lake of the Ozarks region.

The PR, Marketing & Advertising Agency Award celebrates a company that represents a for-profit boating industry entity or independently promotes boating safety through outstanding communications and outreach efforts.

Hammer & Nail Marketing won for its Boater Safety is Good Business campaign. By consistently incorporating boating safety content into marina newsletters and social media, the agency helped elevate key safety practices like CPR training, life jacket use, and sober boating.

The Social Media Influencer Award recognizes a company or individual whose creative and high-quality social media efforts advance boating safety awareness.

BoatClass received this award for its Organic Social Media Safety & Instruction Video Series, a collection of short, engaging videos designed to teach boating safety in a fun, digestible way. Their digital classroom continues to inspire beginner boaters and spread confidence through education.

The Top Marine Manufacturer Award, the highest distinction of the National Boating Safety Awards, recognizes a boat manufacturer that goes above and beyond in advancing boating safety.

This year’s winner, Pursuit Boats, earned top honors for its groundbreaking Confidence on the Water program. Developed in partnership with the Chapman School of Seamanship, this two-day course was designed to educate boat owners on boating safety and proper vessel handling. Every new Pursuit Boat owner and up to three additional participants can take the course free of charge with the purchase of a new vessel.

We extend our congratulations to all of the 2025 award winners. These companies are setting an example for the industry by putting safety first and finding innovative ways to reach and educate boaters.

Thank you to our 2025 National Boating Safety Awards Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor: Suzuki Marine

Lighthouse Sponsors: Yamaha and Water Ways TV

Beacon Sponsors: Absolute Outdoors, Boat History Report, Chubb, Freedom Boat Club, Garmin, and Northpoint Commercial Finance

Flare Sponsors: Bob’s No Wake Zone Boating Radio Show, “Let’s Go Boating” Podcast, Mustang Survival, OnWrd & UpWrd, Oyster Harbor Marine, Sensar Marine, Strong’s Marine, and Waterdogged Sportfishing.

To learn more about the National Boating Safety Awards and award recipients, please visit boatingsafety.com/awards.

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