Posted By Michael Wesolowski,
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Updated: Thursday, October 26, 2023
Costumes, candy corn, Jack-O-Lanterns, trick-or-treats, pumpkin spice everything – it’s officially that time of year once again! Here at the Sea Tow Foundation, Halloween is one of our favorite holidays. While most blog posts out there share tips on the perfect DIY costume or home decor, we thought, being the boating safety nonprofit we are, we’d take things in a different direction by sharing a few secrets on how to dress up your boat or paddleboard!
If you’re looking for some fun ways to really get into the spooky spirit this Halloween, check out the ideas below:
Spooky Sounds and Halloween Hits – You didn’t splurge for those top-of-the-line marine speakers for nothing! Make good use of your boat’s sound system by playing spooky sound effects or your favorite Halloween hits. You can never go wrong with “Monster Mash!”
Jack-O-Lanterns Galore – There are no shortage of great ideas and themes for carving pumpkins this time of year and you’re sure to turn some heads this Halloween season with well thought out Jack-O-Lanterns on your boat! Use battery-operated lights inside instead of candles, though. Open fires and boats don’t mix!
Pumpkins aren’t just for decorating - Consider signing up for a giant pumpkin water race with some friends. Find a giant pumpkin, hollow it out, put on a life jacket and climb inside. And then see how far you can paddle!
Lights, lights, and more lights – Whether you’re piloting a yacht, a pontoon or a small dinghy, you’ve got room to add a few festive lights to your boat. Even if you don’t have the time or space to really take your haunts to the next level, you can’t go wrong with a string of orange lights to get into the spooky spirit. Just make sure that your navigation lights are still visible and won’t be blocked.
Host a dockside trick-or-treat – A great way to get the young ones hooked on a lifelong love of boating is to spend as much time as possible with them in and around the water. This Halloween, instead of heading door to door in your neighborhood, see if your local marina is willing to host their own trick-or-treat event down on the docks. Everyone can decorate their boat and the dock around it and the kids are sure to love it! They can even find fun ways of incorporating their life jackets into their costume ideas!
Do you have other Halloween-inspired boating ideas? Share them with us on Facebook or Instagram!
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,
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 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.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Updated: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Spring Boating Safety Tips
Spring is here which means it is time for warmer weather, sunny skies, and fun with friends or family members on the boat! Before you pack those bags and head out on your spring boating trip, the Sea Tow Foundation has 6 tips to help you have a safe AND fun time on the water.
1.Take a Boating Safety Class Now. Many states require taking a passing a boating safety course and getting a boating license or boating certificate. Whether you’re renting a boat, recently bought a boat, or have years of boating experience, you’ll pick up some pointers and boost your marine confidence as well as satisfy requirements for boaters in Florida. And you could be eligible for a discount on your boat-owners insurance for passing a course, too. Boating safety courses are offered both online and in person through our friends with the America’s Boating Club (formerly known as the U.S. Power Squadrons) or take an interactive, online course through our friends at iLearntoBoat. You can also find other courses available through your state boating agency.
2.Ask for Advice.Spring boating trips may involve traveling to new and exciting destinations. If you are unfamiliar with the bay, lake, river or ocean you’re headed to, it’s smart to talk to the local Sea Tow captains in the area who will happily share water conditions, current patterns, routes and (bonus!) wildlife watching tips.
3.Pack the sunscreen. If you’re not used to the sun and warmer temperatures or with being outdoors for a good portion of the day, you will soon by surprised by a nasty sunburn. Put on some sunscreen and don’t forget a hat and polarized sunglasses, too.
4.Reserve now.If you are planning to rent a boat during the
spring season, make sure you’ve got the rental confirmed well in advance of
your trip and reach out to the company ahead of time to see if you need to
bring anything for the boat with you. They should provide you with an
orientation to your rental boat as well as all of the safety equipment
required. If you are taking your own boat out, make sure your boat trailer is
ready for the road with good tires, straps and chains. Plus, check that the
boat ramp is still open and that you find out where you can park your vehicle
and trailer while you’re out on the water.
5.Once you get to your trip, follow the ABCD rule.
a.Always Wear Life Jackets. Every passenger should wear a properly fitted U.S Coast Guard (USCG)-approved life jacket. And remember that adult-size life jackets aren’t meant for children. If you’ve forgotten to pack your own or need extras, you can always stop by a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station to borrow them for the day.
b.Bring along safety gear. Emergency preparation = peace of mind. No matter the size of your boat, these are the absolute essentials to keep on board:
Marine VHF radio
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Tool kit
Flashlight and extra batteries
Duct tape
Bucket
Waterproof whistle or horn
Lines
Emergency signaling equipment
c.Check—and Recheck—the Weather. Choppy waters can’t always be predicted. If conditions aren’t favorable, don’t chance it. There are many apps and websites that help you know the conditions before you go and to continue to check on the weather while you are out on the water.
d.Designate a Sober Skipper. Never, ever operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.The wind, sun and boat vibration all contribute to increased impairment, even after a single beer. Responsible boaters carry plenty of water, non-alcoholic drinks and food on board. To learn more and Take the Pledge, check out our Sober Skipper Campaign.
6.Share Your Trip to Social.Did your spring boating trip really happen if you didn’t document it? Be sure to tag us in all your photos and adventures on all of our social media platforms: Instagram (@seatowfoundation), Facebook (@SeaTowFoundation), Twitter (@SeaTowFdn) and LinkedIn (@seatowfoundation).
Have a fantastically fun and super safe spring break!
The US Coast Guard requires that children under the age of 13 wear a life jacket whenever they are on an underway boat. Yet there are as many types of life jackets as there are types of boats. This can make finding the right life jacket for your child seem overwhelming. The Sea Tow Foundation has simplified the procedure to just 4 steps to make sure you choose the life jacket that is right for your child.
Watch the video here.
STEP 1: CHECK THE LABEL FOR APPROVAL Check the label inside the life jacket to make sure it is US Coast Guard approved. Also, ensure that the life jacket is rated for the type of boating activity that your child will be participating in such as calm water canoeing or fishing from a pontoon boat vs. rougher water activities such as riding a PWC or waterskiing.
STEP 2: CHECK THE SIZE ON THE LABEL Life jackets are sized by weight and chest size, so make sure that the child’s size fits into the restrictions of the life jacket.
STEP 3: TRY IT ON Buckle and/or zip up the life jacket and make sure the straps are snug. Then, pull up on the shoulders of the life jacket from behind the child to make sure the life jacket doesn’t go above the child’s chin or ears. If it does, it’s too big and the straps should be made tighter, or the child should move to the next size down.
STEP 4: TEST THE LIFE JACKET IN THE WATER When you are near calm water, the child should try on the life jacket to see how well it floats. This will also help prevent the child from being scared if she ends up in the water unexpectedly.
REMEMBER: Life jackets aren’t like winter coats. You can’t buy a larger size and let your child eventually grow into it. If you put them in a life jacket that is too big, the child will slip out of the life jacket. Getting a life jacket that properly fits your child is critical for safety. Once your child outgrows his life jacket, you can donate it to the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Drive so that another family can borrow it for their child to use.
To learn more about the Sea Tow Foundation visit boatingsafety.com
Posted By Kim Perry,
Friday, November 5, 2021
Updated: Thursday, November 4, 2021
Life Jacket Loaner Programs save lives. By providing life jackets that boaters of all ages can borrow and return free of charge, a life jacket loaner station can prevent drowning. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned and 86% of those were not wearing a life jacket. This is likely because people who drown never expected to end up in the water and are not prepared with a correctly fitting life jacket for everyone, but a life jacket loaner station can provide life jackets for free to ensure everyone’s safety. Developing an effective life jacket loaner program includes considering partnerships, continued funding, station location, publicity and using the resources provided by the Sea Tow Foundation
Partnerships
The most important part of a successful life jacket loaner program is to involve and include as many stakeholders as possible. You already have the advantage of being affiliated with the Sea Tow Foundation and the U.S. Coast Guard, but the more partnerships you can create, the better your life jacket loaner program can be. Each agency/organization brings something unique to the program and it is important to host meetings and discussions with everyone involved in the early planning stages as well as throughout the life of the program. Stakeholders can include any groups in the area that would benefit from safer waterways including those groups involved in boating as well as swimming. Possible partners include your state boating agency, state or local parks, Safe Kids USA organization, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, other non-profit organizations, civic groups like the Lions or Moose, scouting groups, etc.
Find Funding
Building a successful life jacket loaner program requires money. There is just no way around that fact. Although you have received the life jackets from the Sea Tow Foundation for free, there are other costs to consider when implementing a life jacket loaner program. Signage may need to be printed to help people find the loaner stand. In addition, the life jackets will eventually need to be replaced and the stands will either need to be repaired or replaced and that requires funding. The Sea Tow Foundation can’t guarantee the availability of grant funds to assist with this in future years. Therefore, it is crucial to plan out all of the costs ahead of time and make plans for where the funding will come from. Failure to plan ahead for funding means that a new life jacket loaner program could be successful and prosperous in its first year and then disappear from the community in its second year due to lack of funding.
Choose a Good Location
A life jacket loaner stand will not be successful if the public cannot find it and use the life jackets. Choosing a location is important because the goal will be to have the loaner stand at this specific place for a long period of time. Conduct research on drowning statistics in the local area and observe where boaters and other water enthusiasts spend a lot of time on their way to the water. A marina store, waterfront office, fuel dock or boat ramp can all be a good location for a life jacket loaner stand, but these don’t have to be the only options. Boating safety camps, marine law enforcement stations, fire departments, libraries, lifeguard stands, community centers as well as many other locations could be successful places to put a life jacket loaner stand. To prevent loss and theft, a loaner stand that is at least perceived to be under surveillance will see a higher rate of life jacket return, so consider a well-populated location where the life jackets and/or stand will have lots of people around it. An additional safeguard would be that the life jackets and/or stand could be secured overnight, if that is possible.
After deciding on potential locations, it is important to involve the business owners, organization representatives and town council in the decision of where to place the life jacket loaner stand. Although many businesses, organizations and towns welcome the addition of safety initiatives such as life jacket loaner programs, there may be some that require additional convincing.
Publicize the Life Jacket Loaner Stand When the life jacket loaner stand has been built and placed at its location, host a press event to showcase the good work that your organization/agency has done. Stage a ribbon cutting ceremony and invite the local stakeholders, business owners, politicians, law enforcement officials and members of the press along with anyone else that may be interested. You can submit a press release to your local newspapers with the assistance of the Sea Tow Foundation.
Resources Available from the Sea Tow Foundation Using all the resources available through the Sea Tow Foundation will help keep your station successful. Whether it’s adding your station to the interactive location map, providing PSAs, ordering program products, and downloading webinars, we’ve got you covered.
Click here to the Resources page and here to the Store.
Ready to Apply?
If your organization, boating agency, company, or municipality wants to host a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station during the 2023 boating season, the application is now closed as of February 2, 2023. To be notified when the 2024 grant application opens on November 1, 2023, please fill out this form.
Donations to the Sea Tow Foundation help us fund programs that help in 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,
Monday, November 1, 2021
Updated: Friday, October 29, 2021
If your organization, boating agency, company, or municipality wants to apply to host a Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station for the 2022 boating season, the application period is open from Nov. 1, 2021 through Feb. 1, 2022. There is no cost to apply, and all materials are free as well.
Applications are available at www.boatingsafety.com/lifejacketgrant for anyone looking to restock an existing loaner station or add a new Life Jacket Loaner Station to their area. A limited number of loaner station building kits are also available to request. Applicants will be notified by the end of March whether they’ve been selected to receive life jackets and stands.
Selected applicants will be notified by the end of March and new Onyx life jackets will be shipped free of charge along with supporting materials needed to help set up and maintain a life jacket loaner station during the 2022 boating season. The Sea Tow Foundation is especially interested in expanding into Arizona, South Dakota and Vermont where no Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations currently exist, but all locations are welcome to apply.
The Life Jacket Loaner Program is in its 14th year and has made over 83,000 life jackets available for boaters to borrow in 47 states and four territories. Presently, there are over 800 Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Stations available nationwide, and all of them carry life jackets ranging in size from infant through adult ensuring that they are available for anyone needing to borrow one.
This program is made possible by a grant the Sea Tow Foundation receives from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
To find out more about the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program including the location of Loaner Stations in your area, please visit www.boatingsafety.com/map.
Photo below shows U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Clinton Lake Project alongside a life jacket loaner stand.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Updated: Monday, May 10, 2021
National Safe Boating Week Tip #6 - Wear Your Life Jacket
Wearing a life jacket is the single most important thing you can do to improve your safety on board a boat. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most recent Recreational Boating Statistics report, 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 86% were not wearing a life jacket. In other words, 8 out of 10 lives would have been saved had the people been wearing life jackets.
The Sea Tow Foundation and U.S. Coast Guard recommend that boaters wear life jackets at all times because you can never predict when you’ll need them. You can’t put on a seatbelt in a car while you are in the middle of a car accident, and you won’t be able to put on a life jacket in the middle of an on-water emergency either. Wearing it is the best option.
Modern life jackets are designed to be comfortable to wear and some kid’s models are colorful and feature fun themes, which help make children want to wear them. The two most important pieces to check is that 1) the life jackets are U.S. Coast Guard approved and 2) the life jackets are the proper size for the person wearing them. A child can’t wear an adult-size life jacket because they will slip out of it in the water and an adult would never float if they were hanging onto a child-size life jacket.
Inflatable life jackets are also an option for those at least 16 years of age. They can be worn on the waist or like a pair of suspenders so that they are out of the way until they are needed, but they must be worn to be approved. Also, if you plan to go white water kayaking, wake boarding, riding a PWC, or participating in any other activity with high impact, an inflatable life jacket is not an option.
If you don’t have enough life jackets for everyone on board or don’t want to purchase a life jacket for a one-time boat visitor, don’t worry. The Sea Tow Foundation has established over 750 life jacket loaner stations throughout the United States where boaters can easily borrow and return life jackets in all sizes to ensure that they have the right size for everyone on board. You can find a life jacket loaner station near you at www.boatingsafety.com/map.
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