The Sea Tow Foundation™ is showcasing the winners of the 2024 National Boating Safety Awards via individualized blog posts that answer specific questions posted to each winning company.

Freedom Boat Club won the 2024 National Boating Safety Award in the category of Top Marine Business.

Photo provided courtesy of Freedom Boat Club.

     1. Please briefly describe your winning entry and tell us about the process of creating/launching it.

Freedom Boat Club's winning entry for the National Boating Safety Award involved a comprehensive, year-round approach to promoting boating safety through training, outreach, and community engagement. The project included the development of educational materials, safety protocols, and hands-on training for both new and experienced boaters. With more than 400 locations and 100,000+ members globally, we are proud of our ability to scale our access to training and resources. We continue to lead the Club with a safety-first culture. Our goal is to ensure each member feels comfortable and confident at the helm to maximize their time on the water.

     2. What does winning this award mean for your company?

Winning the National Boating Safety Award is a tremendous honor and a validation of our dedication to boating safety. It reinforces our commitment to ensuring that our members are equipped with the knowledge and tools to boat responsibly. While we’ve always prided ourselves on our focus on safety, receiving this recognition serves as a reminder that our efforts are making a positive impact on the boating community.

     3. What partnerships, media coverage and/or opportunities have you received because of winning this award?

Winning this prestigious award has provided several opportunities for collaboration and exposure. We’ve strengthened our partnerships with safety organizations, local boating communities, and other industry leaders. Media coverage has allowed us to expand our message of boating safety to a wider audience, and the recognition has prompted more boaters to seek out Freedom Boat Club as a trusted resource for safe and enjoyable boating experiences. Our commitment to safety has long involved working with others since this is not our first boating safety initiative; we have consistently promoted safety through programs like our three core boater safety courses, which are all National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) verified courses plus our on-going partnership with the Sea Tow Foundation to promote the Sober Skipper™ program. Our work with other partners is part of an ongoing effort to make boating as safe as it is enjoyable.

     4. What was a key takeaway you received because of working on this project or campaign?

A key takeaway from working on this initiative has been the reinforcement across our Club that boating safety requires a continual, collective effort. While training and education are fundamental, safety on the water is also about creating a culture where every boater feels empowered to make responsible decisions.

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