Boating is a beloved pastime, but safety should always be a priority. The U.S. Coast Guard released its annual report on recreational boating incidents for the 2023 calendar year, which provides crucial insights into boating safety trends, highlights areas for improvement and shows that boating safety efforts are making an impact.

The 2023 report reveals both progress and ongoing challenges. Boating fatalities decreased by 11.3%, from 636 in 2022 to 564 in 2023, while the total number of incidents dropped by 4.9%, from 4,040 to 3,844. Non-fatal injuries also decreased 4.3%, from 2,222 to 2,126. Despite these positive trends, alcohol remains the leading known factor in fatal accidents, accounting for 79 deaths or 17% of total fatalities, but the number of deaths had decreased from 88 the previous year.

The top five contributing factors to accidents included operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure. The fatality rate improved, falling to 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels (a 9.3% decrease from the previous year). However, the data showed that 3 out of every 4 boaters who died in a boating accident drowned and of those deaths, 87% were not wearing a life jacket, emphasizing the importance of this critical safety measure.

The Sea Tow Foundation’s mission is to eliminate preventable boating accidents and fatalities by providing access to education, tools and resources. We want to encourage boaters to always wear life jackets, and learn and adhere to safe boating practices. Our Life Jacket Loaner Program is a crucial part of this effort, providing boaters with free access to properly fitting life jackets to borrow at over 1,300 locations. These Life Jacket Loaner Stations are stocked with sizes from infant to adult extra-large and are available across all 56 states and territories. This program ensures that every boater, regardless of their experience or resources, has the life-saving equipment they need for a safe day out on the water. Check out our Life Jacket Loaner Station map to find the one closest to you.

Another one of our pivotal initiatives in promoting boating safety is the Sober Skipper Campaign. We believe that achieving zero Boating Under the Influence (BUI) incidents is within reach, as these accidents are entirely preventable. And the Sober Skipper campaign is working as evidenced by the continual decrease in the numbers of accidents and deaths attributed to BUI. By taking the Sober Skipper Pledge, boaters commit to having a sober, responsible person at the helm, ensuring a safer experience for everyone on the water. We encourage all boaters to join us in taking this pledge, making our waters safer and more enjoyable for all.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2023 statistics serve as a reminder that safety on the water should always be a priority. By following recommended safety practices and taking advantage of resources from the Sea Tow Foundation, boaters can enjoy their time on the water while significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

As we gear up for National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 18-24, 2024, the Sea Tow Foundation and Sea Tow are joining forces to promote boating safety and awareness. With more people expected to hit the water in the coming weeks, it's crucial for boaters to prioritize safety and be well-prepared for their time on the water.

Boating accidents are unfortunately common, with over 4,000 incidents and 600 fatalities reported in the latest statistics by the U.S. Coast Guard. Many of these accidents could have been prevented with proper safety measures in place. National Safe Boating Week serves as an important reminder for boaters to refresh their knowledge of safety procedures and ensure they have all necessary equipment onboard for a safe and enjoyable experience.

In support of National Safe Boating Week, Sea Tow Captains from around the country are sharing their top tips for boating safety:

One final way to bring boaters some Peace of Mind on the Water ™ is to get or renew your Sea Tow membership before the start of the boating season. With membership, you have the assurance of knowing Sea Tow is standing by to help when the unexpected happens. 

Sea Tow and the Sea Tow Foundation encourage boaters to take advantage of the Sea Tow Foundation’s nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program where anyone can borrow a life jacket for the day at no charge. 

As we embark on National Safe Boating Week, let's remember that boating safety is not just a week-long initiative – it's a year-round commitment. With thousands of boating accidents and fatalities occurring annually, it's clear that prioritizing safety on the water is essential. Whether you're packing for a day trip or setting out for a longer journey, following these  tips from Sea Tow Captains can help ensure a safer and more enjoyable boating experience.

Remember to equip your boat with essential safety gear, adhere to boating regulations and stay vigilant while on the water. Let's work together to make every week safe boating week and protect our precious waterways for generations to come. Stay safe out there!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram all week long for a special contest for National Safe Boating Week and to see even more details related to each tip!

The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program is the largest of its kind in the world, with more than 1,300 stands across all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Established to prevent drowning, each stand has life jackets ranging in size from infant to adult extra-large that boaters can borrow and return free of charge to help ensure a safe day on the water. During the 2023 boating season, the Sea Tow Foundation received more than 250 Life Jacket Loaner Program applications from 46 states – a record number – which created a gap of 15,000 life jackets between what communities and organizations need and what the Sea Tow Foundation was able to provide through grants and donations.

As a result, the Sea Tow Foundation called on the boating industry to help support their Life Jacket Loaner Program and fill the gap by donating life jackets. Newell Brands, a leading global consumer goods company, answered the call by donating more than 10,000 Stearns and Coleman branded life jackets and floating cushions, which will help keep people safe across the country.

The quantity of donated life jackets and floating cushions went to the following:

• 1,200 life jackets were shipped to the Sea Tow Foundation for distribution to Life Jacket Loaner Station Hosts across the country.

• 1,700 life jackets were shipped to Sea Tow Venice in Florida as a central distribution point to help replenish supply and re-establish loaner stations hosted by them and other groups in Southwest Florida that were affected by Hurricane Ian last fall.

• 7,300 life jackets and floating cushions were made available for existing Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Station Hosts and boating safety groups to pick up from the Newell Brands warehouse in Kansas.

The Sea Tow Foundation has also facilitated a connection between Newell Brands and the nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations: Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc. and the Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Education Foundation to donate an additional 10,000 life jackets.

After receiving an overwhelming number of applications for our nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program, we called on the boating industry to donate life jackets to help fulfill all of the requests and save boaters’ lives across the country. Brunswick Corporation, a global leader in the marine industry, answered the call and has generously donated 868 life jackets to be repurposed in the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program.

Brunswick’s donated life jackets came specifically from Land ‘N’ Sea warehouses located in Pompano Beach, Florida; Houston, Texas; Detroit, Michigan and Eagan, Minnesota. Land ‘N’ Sea is one of over 60 of Brunswick’s brands and is a full-service, wholesale distributor servicing the boating and recreational vehicle industry. All 868 of the life jackets are from their brand, Seachoice, which is a private label exclusive to Land ‘N’ Sea.

“Safety is our number one priority both on and off the water,” said Mike Conners, Land ‘N’ Sea President. “We are thrilled to participate in the Sea Tow Foundation’s mission to make the water safer for everyone and the donation of Seachoice life jackets to aid in their mission was a perfect way for us to continue to support our great friends at the Sea Tow Foundation.”

The 868 Land ‘N’ Sea life jackets are being distributed for immediate use in Florida and Texas and will be ready to use during the upcoming boating season in Michigan and Minnesota.

If you have brand new or gently used life jackets that you would like to donate to a life jacket loaner station near you, use the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Drive online form and we’ll be in touch about a local life jacket loaner station that is in need of more life jackets. You can also find out more in this video blog about how to inspect your gently used life jacket to know if it is in good shape to donate.

Photo Captions:

Top left: Bart Shanks from Hub’s Yacht Club and Marina in Minnesota with donated SeaChoice life jackets.

Top right: Willard Franklin III form Four W's Fishing Team in Houston, TX with a LandNSea employee.

Bottom left: Four W's participants wearing the donated life jackets in Houston, TX

Bottom right: The City of Algonac, MI showing their donated life jackets.

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.