Posted By Administration,
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Updated: Tuesday, July 2, 2024
The Sea Tow Foundation is showcasing the winners of the 2023 National Boating Safety Awards via individualized blog posts that answer specific questions posted to each winning company.
Boston Whaler won the 2023 National Boating Safety Award in the category of Top Marine Public Relations and Marketing Effort.
Please brieflydescribe your winning entry and tell us about the process of creating/launching it.
Our winning entry for Boston Whaler was a comprehensive boating safety campaign that was aimed at encouraging Boston Whaler boaters to participate in safe boating. We utilized social channels, our website, and emails to drive the most awareness and make give our audience some important tips that could be useful during their own boating. And Capt. Wil Rogers helped with lots of videos on boating safety tips.
What inspired your company to promote boating safety?
For Boston Whaler, boating safety is one of our biggest priorities. We maintain the reputation of being unsinkable, and therefore upholding quality boating for all our customers. Recognizing the significance of maintaining our reputation, our company has consistently prioritized safety initiatives, ensuring that every boater feels confident and secure on the water. This campaign, building upon our unsinkable legacy, represents another milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of safety within the boating community.
What does winning this award mean for your company?
We are so honored to win this award because it validates our efforts in promoting boating safety and it also acknowledges the impact of our initiatives within the industry. It serves as recognition of our dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of boaters and emphasizes the need for ongoing boating safety campaigns, not just during National Safe Boating Week.
Is your company working on any future boating safety projects or campaigns? If so, is there anything you can share about what you’re planning to do?
Looking ahead, Boston Whaler remains committed to promoting boating safety in future projects and campaigns. We continue to release blog articles and landing pages for our audience that contain essential safety tips. We find that providing these resources to our boaters is the best way to communicate the importance of safe boating. We continue to explore new avenues of reaching boaters and emphasizing the importance of safety. Our goal is to continue raising awareness and providing resources that empower boaters to make informed decisions and enjoy the water responsibly.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, July 15, 2024
Updated: Wednesday, July 3, 2024
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.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Updated: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Boating is a fantastic way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the fresh air. However, we all know that conditions can change, and things can happen, so it is important to be prepared and carry all of the required equipment. The Sea Tow Foundation has put together a list of the 10 Essentials for Boating to make sure you have everything you need (plus everything required to take) before heading out for a day or weekend on the water. And, these would be great gift ideas for the boaters in your life! We've provided some links to help you purchase our favorite items*!
Life Jackets – The Coast Guard requires that a properly fitted life jacket be on board for each person in the boating group plus a throwable device like a ring buoy or floating cushion. While the universal-size life jackets that came with your boat will meet the requirements for adults, they won’t fit children, so you’ll need to have other life jackets for them. And it’s also a good idea to invest in some better life jackets for the adults that are comfortable and will provide better buoyancy like an inflatable life jacket. And, make sure that throwable device has some rope tied to it so you can bring someone back onto the boat! Don't forget that the Sea Tow Foundation’s nationwide life jacket loaner program has over 1,300 stations where you can easily borrow a vest-style life jacket if you invite any last minute guests on board and need a life jacket for them.
Fire Extinguishers – If your boat has an engine, you are required to have a fire extinguisher on board. It also needs to be rated for marine use. Even a personal watercraft needs to have a fire extinguisher on board.
Signaling Gear – If you need to get help to your position or notify someone of a problem, you’ll need to carry signaling gear. For non-powered boats on inland lakes and rivers, a mirror is usually sufficient, but if you are on a power boat or are going into the Great Lakes or Coastal waters, then you're required to carry traditional flares or an E-Flare. For more information about the different types of flares, check out our page devoted to Flare Education.
Lights – Boats are required to have Navigation Lights (red, green and white) to help other boats see you on the water and know which direction you are moving. If you are in a non-powered boat, even if you don’t plan to be on the water after dark, it is a good idea to carry a water-proof flashlight on board. As the days get shorter in the fall and spring, the nighttime often sneaks up on you and it is good to know that a flashlight can help you with finding the boat ramp and it also alerts other boats to your position so that they can avoid you.
Anchor and Extra Line – Being able to stop your boat from moving is important if the battery or engine fails so that you don’t drift into a boating channel or into dangerous waters. That's why carrying an anchor is required. The anchor should be strong enough for the type and size of boat that you’re using and rated for the bottom type that is found in that area whether that is mud, sand, clay, grass, or rocks.
Safety Kit – This is one of the items that it's required for legal purposes, but you should still take the time to put together a boating safety kit that includes a first aid kit complete with bandages, gauze, tape, alcohol wipes, anti-nausea medicine, gloves, tweezers, and cold compresses. If anyone in your boating group has a medical condition like Diabetes, it is a good idea to include glucose tablets or tubes of icing to assist with low blood sugar. Adding a Multi-Tool and duct tape to any safety kit are good ideas as they both can be used in multiple ways whether that is patching up the boat or a wound.
Sound Signal Device – Depending on the type of boat you’re using, helps determine the type of signaling device youre required to carry. A canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard should have a whistle attached to every life jacket and it isn’t a bad idea to add whistles to the life jackets on every type of boat, too. Any boat less than 39.4 feet in length must have some device that can produce a sound, so powerboats often have a horn on board to meet this requirement. Boats that are larger need to make sure that the device can be heard for a half mile with a 4-6 second duration.
Communications Device – Getting in touch with a friend or family member to let them know that you’ll be late for dinner is important, but being able to get help in an emergency is critical. You can’t always rely on a cell phone to work, even on an inland lake or river, so it is a good idea to carry a VHF radio or a satellite communication device like a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a Garmin InReach.
License, Registration, and Nautical Chart – All boat operators are required to carry their boat’s registration paperwork as well as a copy of their boating license and/or driver’s license. It’s also a good idea to have a paper chart of your waterway just in case the electronics don’t work for some reason. And, keeping all of these in a waterproof pouch is a smart idea so that they stay dry at all times.
Food and Water – The last item isn't required, but is always a good idea for any trip out on the water. Plan to pack enough food and drinks for everyone on board for at least double the amount of time that you plan to be on the water. If you are packing for an afternoon boat ride that will last 4 hours, make sure to have enough food and water that you can be comfortable for at least 8 hours. That way, if you are delayed in returning to the boat dock for whatever reason, you and your boating group will not feel as hungry and thirsty as they otherwise would.
Bonus item: Having a Sea Tow Membership is always a smart idea so that you and your boat will be taken care of because members always get priority service. And this mans that you can get back to enjoying your day on the water even faster.
*The Sea Tow Foundation may receive compensation as an affiliate of Amazon for purchases made with these links.
Administered through the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, the 2024 Life Jacket Loaner Programhas been awarded to 116 deserving groups across 45 states and territories. This means that the Sea Tow Foundation will officially have Life Jacket Loaner Stations established in all 56 states and territories this year!
Among the groups receiving life jackets and loaner stand building kits this year, 49 groups located across 39 different states are opening Life Jacket Loaner Stations for the first time., thus growing the impact and outreach of the program. A handful of the groups opening Life Jacket Loaner Stations applied because a water-related accident or tragedy occurred in their community, and they wanted to make a difference. This expansion ensures that more communities than ever before have access to essential life jackets in sizes for anyone to borrow and return for free.
All the life jacket loaner stations are hosted by a diverse array of organizations, including community groups, marine businesses, health care organizations, law enforcement agencies, municipalities, parks and over a dozen Sea Tow franchises. While some of the loaner stands are open year-round, the majority are operated seasonally which means that they’ll be opening soon for the summer boating season.
Despite the significant achievement of now having loaner stations in all 56 states and territories, the Sea Tow Foundation was not able to provide nearly enough life jackets to everyone that applied, so the demand for life jackets remains high. To further support the mission, companies or individuals with a surplus of new or gently-used life jackets are encouraged to donate them to the Sea Tow Foundation so that boaters can use them at the over 1,300 nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Stations. If you have life jackets to donate, please contact the Sea Tow Foundation at info@boatingsafety.com or fill out this form.
As a non-profit organization, the Sea Tow Foundation does not receive dedicated funding from any source, so your support is important to continue our life-saving programs. These programs include our nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program, Sober Skipper Campaign, Flare Education Program, and the National Boating Safety Awards. Our goal is to provide free education, tools and resources to eliminate preventable boating accidents, but we need your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.
The Sea Tow Foundation programs are available to our nationwide network of Sea Tow Captains, and many of them utilize our programs or provide monetary support, like Capt. Kerry Kline of Sea Tow Central Florida Lakes. In the video shown below, Capt. Kerry says, “we see too many accidents and fatalities on the water. It is heartbreaking…. That’s why Sea Tow Captains like me donate so much of our time and effort to establishing, maintaining, and promoting free life jacket loaner stations across the country.”
Capt. Kerry supports the Sea Tow Foundation. His reason: “I know it makes my community safer. I want my community, my neighbors, my friends, my family and my members to be safe.”
Help keep the people you care about safe and support the Sea Tow Foundation with a donation today at www.boatingsafety.com/donate.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Updated: Friday, September 29, 2023
The winners of the 2023 National Boating Safety Awards were presented at the Soundings Trade Only event on October 2, 2023 prior to the start of IBEX in Tampa, FL.
The Sea Tow Foundation received a record-breaking number of entries for their Boating Safety Advisory Council to review and judge. The winners for 2023 are:
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!
A new and dangerous TikTok trend is spreading across the nation and boaters are being seriously injured or killed as a result. Known as the “boat jump challenge,” videos online show boaters jumping or purposely falling from moving boats. Hitting the water while a boat is moving is equivalent to hitting concrete after jumping from a multiple story building. As a result, this challenge is likely to cause broken bones, head injuries, or a broken neck. In addition, it seriously increases the chances of being hit with your own boat’s propeller or being run over by another boat in the water. Drowning is also a definite risk –trying to swim after any of these types of injuries would be very difficult or impossible.
Conclusion: No one is invincible, and the Boat Jump Challenge should not be tried by anyone.
As an alternative, the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Challenge is an excellent way to have fun on a boat while being safe at the same time. Plus, it gives everyone a chance to win prizes valued up to $800! To participate in the Life Jacket Challenge, simply record yourself and your friends finding and putting on a life jacket in 30 seconds or less and then post it to the social media platform of your choice with the #STFLifeJacketChallenge to be entered to win. Everyone from lacrosse players to moms have taken the challenge! You can find their videos and more details here: www.boatingsafety.com/lifejacketchallenge
Let’s all have a safe and enjoyable boating season! See you on the water!
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, June 26, 2023
Updated: Friday, June 2, 2023
There are many reasons why you should designate a sober skipper when boating. You can remember these using the acronym PLUS:
Peace of mind: Knowing that there is a sober person in charge of the boat can help you relax and enjoy your time on the water. Especially because the sober skipper is not going to be drinking any alcohol or taking any drugs.
Legality: In every single state, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Designating a sober skipper can help you avoid getting legal problems because BUI is 100% preventable.
Upstanding: The Sober Skipper should be respected and appreciated by everyone for being the safe operator of the boat. In fact, everyone should thank their Sober Skipper for their willingness to help prevent boating accidents and take charge of all of the people in the boat.
Safety: Alcohol impairs judgment and coordination, which are essential for safe boating. A sober skipper is more likely to make sound decisions and be able to react quickly to unexpected situations plus they are familiar with the boat and how it operates as well as the waterways.
Designating a sober skipper is a simple way to make boating safer and more enjoyable for everyone. If you are planning on boating, make sure to designate a sober skipper before you leave the dock or launch 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.
Blog Home
All Blogs
