As the summer boating season is well underway, the need to prevent Boating Under the Influence (BUI) accidents increases as more and more boaters take to the waterways with coolers full of alcohol. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the leading primary contributing factor to boating-related deaths is alcohol use, yet this is 100% preventable when a Sober Skipper is designated before heading out on the water.

The Sea Tow Foundation’s BUI prevention effort known as the Sober Skipper Campaign has been in existence since 2015 and the concept is catching on with boaters because the number of boating accidents, deaths and injuries have all decreased since that time. However, more efforts are needed as we work to achieve the goal of “Heading to Zero” accidents, deaths and injuries related to BUI. The Sea Tow Foundation believes that alcohol use should never be the reason why someone doesn’t come home from a day on the water. This is why the Sea Tow Foundation encourages all boaters to take the Sober Skipper Pledge.

The Sea Tow Foundation has developed a number of free materials that provide the education, tools and resources needed to eliminate BUI. A short and engaging PSA video was developed to target the key audience involved in most BUI accidents and it can be shared easily on social media or through email. A free downloadable Sober Skipper Resource Kit provides key messages, talking points, media relations tools and other details. Sober Skipper Aluminum signage and many other new and updated Sober Skipper materials are now available for a low flat rate shipping price. These items include the updated yellow Sober Skipper wristband that can be used as a reminder that the boater has taken the Sober Skipper Pledge and the updated floating yellow Sober Skipper keychain was added to serve as another reminder as well as a place to put the boat keys. The newest item available to request is the yellow Sober Skipper whistle that comes on a coiled wristband. Not only does the whistle meet carriage requirements for a sound-producing device, but it is a great reminder of the Sober Skipper Pledge. Packages of the wristbands, keychains and wristbands are available for distribution to boating safety classes, yacht clubs, community organizations, and they can also be used in events like boat shows and safety fairs to spread the Sober Skipper message and help the Sea Tow Foundation work to eliminate BUI for our waterways this summer.

Visit our online store to find these items and many more available that meet the Sea Tow Foundation’s vision of a world where all boaters are safe and responsible someday soon.

National Safe Boating Week Tip #4 - Pledge to be a Sober Skipper

Most people don’t realize that the sun, wind and motion of the boat greatly magnify the effects of alcohol or drug use even if the driver is under the legal limit. These additional stressors on the body can mean that the boat operator can still be impaired to the extent where safety is compromised. And, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s report on recreational boating, there were 282 accidents, 113 deaths and 221 injuries that were attributed to Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in 2019. Every single one of these tragic events could have been prevented by having a Sober Skipper in control of the boat and all of the passengers on board to keep everyone safe.

The Sea Tow Foundation’s Sober Skipper Campaign was started in 2015 and, since that time, events have been held in all 50 states where yellow wristbands are distributed signifying that a boater has taken the pledge to be the Sober Skipper. To get a wristband that identifies you as a Sober Skipper, go to www.soberskipper.com and Take the Pledge today. Together, we can eliminate Boating Under the Influence accidents and deaths and keep everyone on the water safe.