Posted By Gail Kulp,
Friday, November 18, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Would you ever get into a car with a drunk driver? Definitely not. But what about a boat, where the operator has had a few drinks? That’s where the lines have often become blurred.
Boating Under the Influence is a widespread issue, and it is the leading cause of all fatal boating accidents. However, BUI is not only illegal in every state, but it’s 100% preventable. Drinking and driving is taken very seriously, with people assigning designated drivers or taking an Uber when alcohol has been involved. In fact, actions like this have become second-nature for cars, but the water is a different story, and we have to do something about it.
You can be a part of changing this narrative by taking the pledge to always have a Sober Skipper behind the helm. That means pledging to either be or designate the Sober Skipper before you leave the dock. The operator of the boat will remain 100% drug and alcohol free to ensure that the boat is operated safely and everyone on board stays safe as well. Take the pledge, and help keep the water a safe and fun place for everyone.
Since the start of the Sober Skipper Campaign, more than 131,000 boaters have taken the Sober Skipper pledgeand BUI accidents have fallen from 108 deaths and 248 injuries reported in 2014 to 86 and 186, respectively in 2021.
Join the Sea Tow Foundation as we work to achieve the goal of “Heading to Zero”– that's zero BUI accidents, zero alcohol related boating deaths and zero drunk skippers behind the wheel. BUI is 100% preventable and the Sea Tow Foundation believes that BUI should nevre be the reason someone doesn't come home from a day on the water.
Spread the word about the importance of Sober Skippers by sharing this PSA video.
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
Blog Home
All Blogs
