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.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Updated: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
The Sea Tow Foundation’s inaugural online conference just wrapped up, and we are excited to share highlights from this incredible event. It was truly an amazing three days filled with education, networking, and community building, leaving us all feeling inspired and ready to take on the world of boating safety.
This groundbreaking conference was a testament to our collective efforts to make water safety more accessible for communities across the country and world – we were joined by individuals from 40 states and territories, plus a representative from the Kingdom of Tonga. Thanks to the generous sponsorships from Onyx, Garmin, and America's Boating Channel, along with funding from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, we were able to connect with a diverse group of participants who are eager to make a difference.
One of the most memorable parts of the conference was watching attendees learn from not only our speakers but also each other. Here’s a glimpse at the various topics and issues that attendees engaged in throughout the conference:
Strategic Use of Social Media: Participants gained valuable insights into leveraging social media platforms to engage audiences and promote awareness about loaner stations.
Networking and Community Building: The importance of networking within local communities emerged as a recurring theme. Attendees recognized the critical role that collaboration and team building play in getting permission to set up loaner stations, getting support from the elected officials for boating safety, and expanding the reach of life jacket loaner stations.
Effective PR and Advertising: We discussed strategies for effective public relations and advertising, and attendees left with actionable tactics to promote their own life jacket loaner stations.
Data-Driven Approaches: Conference speakers emphasized using real data and evidence-based practices to improve resource effectiveness.
Innovative Solutions: Attendees learned about innovative approaches to prevent the loss of life jackets, including inventory labeling and community-driven initiatives.
Importance of Shared Messaging: With nationally-focused presentations from the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, the Life Jacket Association and speakers talking about the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan and the NASBLA K-12 PFD Standards, attendees had a chance to understand how their grassroots-focused loaner stations fit into the national picture. This highlighted the importance of everyone working together to share the same message: life jacket loaner stations save lives.
We loved seeing the attendees’ express enthusiasm for specific programs and initiatives introduced during sessions. Participants were eager to learn more about the value of partnerships and collaboration in enhancing life jacket loaner stations and learning effective strategies for engaging potential partners. Attendees were also intrigued by educational opportunities, gaining fresh ideas for community involvement with children in grades K-12 as well as adult volunteers and the manufacturers of life jackets. Many participants eagerly embraced new promotional strategies, including innovative campaigns like the "Caught Wearing a Jacket" initiative.
We were overwhelmed with positive feedback and responses from attendees. Here’s a look at what they had to say:
"I gained insights about where to find drowning data for my area and am taking away many great PR tips for promoting our loaner stations.”
"I learned about the empirical data that goes into how resources are used so they are more effective."
"I appreciate that there is a whole network of water safety organizations that work together to support the important task of preventing fatalities and saving lives.”
The inaugural Life Jacket Loaner Conference showcased the power of collaboration, education, and innovation in advancing water safety efforts. For those who couldn’t make it to the live conference, please check out the discounted registration that we’re offering so that you can view the recorded conference content through May 31st. To learn more, please visit: https://www.boatingsafety.com/page/lifejacketloanerconference
We want to thank all our speakers, sponsors and attendees for their invaluable contributions and enthusiastic participation. As attendees return to their communities armed with fresh perspectives and actionable strategies, we know they will undoubtedly ignite positive change. We are proud that the ripple effect of this event will extend widely and resonate through the numerous efforts and initiatives of our life jacket loaner stations and their incredible hosts.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, November 8, 2022
A flare gun is made out of plastic and is used to discharge aerial flare cartridges. To load, push the barrel away from the hammer, place a flare cartridge into the barrel, and close it. To fire the gun, push the button on the side, pull back the hammer, aim up to the sky, and pull the trigger. An aerial flare is able to be used as both a day and night visual distress signal. Be aware that the firing of an aerial flare is very loud and safety is critical. Always be cautious where you are pointing the flare gun and of any people around you. Once launched, the light from the flare is only visible for 5 seconds, usually on it's trajectory back down towards the water. As with all pyrotechnic flares, aerial flare cartridges expire 42 months from their manufacture date so be sure to check yours on a regular basis.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, October 18, 2022
The Sea Tow Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting boating safety, along with the Sea Tow Foundation’s Boating Safety Advisory Councilhave announced the winners of their fourth annual National Boating Industry Safety Awards. The awards recognize efforts to promote safety on the water within the for-profit sector of the boating industry.
The awards were presented online to each of the winners on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 following the cancellation of IBEX due to Hurricane Ian.
THE WINNERS OF THE 2022 NATIONAL BOATING INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARDS:
Posted By Kim Perry,
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, October 5, 2022
WHAT IS AN E-FLARE AND SHOULD I GET ONE?
An E-Flare is a non-pyrotechnic electronic visual distress signal with a very bright light that operates off of batteries. Multiple manufacturers produce Coast Guard certified E-Flares including ACR and Sirius Signal. An E-Flare serves as your nighttime distress signal. Each E-Flare will come with an orange distress flag that will be used as your day signal. E-Flares are easy to operate and only require that you check the batteries on a regular basis. When used, the E-Flare will flash the S-O-S signal for at least 2 hours, much longer than a traditional flare. Even if you still choose to carry traditional flares, adding an E-Flare to your boat's safety kit is a smart idea.
Posted By Gail Kulp,
Monday, April 25, 2022
Updated: Friday, April 22, 2022
The Sea Tow Foundation has created a National Safe Boating Week Resource Kit available free of charge to marine industry stakeholders. The kit offers instructions on how to share a wealth of resources including safety tips, photos, videos, blogs, and social media posts to cover the entire seven days.
National Safe Boating Week is held from May 21 – 27 and the Sea Tow Foundation hopes that our for-profit and non-profit recreational boating industry colleagues can use this simple resource kit to participate.
To access the Sea Tow Foundation’s free National Safe Boating Week Resource Kit, please visit: www.boatingsafety.com/NSBW
Posted By Kim Perry,
Monday, April 4, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Now that we are fully into spring, there are many people who are already out on the water enjoying the spring weather and there are also people who are just starting to think about getting the boat ready to head out for the first time this year. Whether you find yourself in the first group or the second, there are definitely some steps every boater should take to make sure you’re ready for the spring and summer boating season. The Sea Tow Foundation has you covered as you “spring into boating” if you just follow these 5 tips:
1. Spring Clean Your Boat Start by wiping down any dust and dirt that many have accumulated. Clean the seats and treat the fabric to prevent mold from forming. This is also a good time to wax the boat.
2. Check the Electronics, Wiring and Hoses Look for loose connections, frayed wires and split hoses. If you know how to make the necessary repairs, you can tackle them yourself, but having a good boat mechanic on speed-dial is also a plus to make sure that everything is done correctly the first time.
3. Inspect the Safety Equipment
Check on the expiration dates for the fire extinguisher and emergency flares and replace any that have expired. You can also get an e-flare instead of your old pyrotechnic flares and never have to buy flares again! Also, check the life jackets to make sure that they have not mildewed or dry-rotted. While mildew can be cleaned using these tips, you must get rid of a life jacket with broken straps or dry-rot. This is also a good time to make sure the life jackets still fit everyone who will be wearing them. If the kids grew over the winter, they may need a new life jacket.
4. Update the Float Plan
Whether you use a written form or an app, make sure that the information in your float plan is updated with all of the details that you want rescuers to know if you should fail to come back on time from your boating trip and your family needs to call and start a search for you.
5. Refresh Your Knowledge
Take a boating safety class and look for any updated laws that you should know about related to the waters where you plan to go boating. Update your maps and charts as well to ensure that they contain all of the buoys and navigation aids that you may encounter.
We’re just as excited as you about getting out on the water, but making sure the boat is ready to go for another season is an important part. Once you’re ready to launch, check out these 4 Spring Boating Safety Tips from a Sea Tow Captain for tips to keep you safe out on the water.
Did we miss any tips? What would you include on your list? Let us know in the comments.
To continue providing these blogs, 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.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022
New Fire Protection Regulation
On April 20, 2022, the new fire protection regulation for recreational boats takes effect. If your disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher has a date of manufacture stamped on the bottle that is older than 12 years, the extinguisher is considered expired and must be removed from service. The most recently published rule can be found here. To determine if your fire extinguisher is approved for use on boats, the label on the bottle will state “Marine Type – USCG Approved”.
Carrying Requirements for Boats
There are no changes to when marine fire extinguishers are required on boats or to the number of extinguishers required to be on board.
The following recreational boats are required to carry marine fire extinguishers:
Boats with permanently installed fuel tank(s), or
Spaces that are capable of trapping fumes, such as a - Closed compartments, such as those under seats with space large enough to store a portable fuel tank.
- Double bottoms that are not sealed to the hull or that are not completely filled with flotation material.
- Closed living space.
- Closed stowage compartment in which combustible or flammable materials is stowed.
For all fire extinguisher requirements for the recreational boater, including how many are needed for different boat sizes, go to the U.S. Coast Guard FAQ page.
Ready When You Need It
It’s important to keep your extinguisher readily accessible and in good and serviceable working condition. Inspect it monthly to check the pressure gauge, seals and to ensure there is no rust or damage. If you find yourself needing to use one, keep the acronym PASS in mind: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever, and Sweep side to side.
If a fire does erupt on your boat, stop the engine immediately and make sure that everyone on board is wearing a life jacket in case you have to abandon the boat. If possible, position the boat so that the fire is downwind and then use the fire extinguisher. If the fire continues to burn after using the extinguisher, place a MAYDAY call on your VHF radio or call 911 if you are in cell phone range and prepare to abandon ship.
To continue providing these blogs, 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.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Updated: Monday, February 7, 2022
Every child can likely tell you that green means go and red means stop. This signage is ingrained in us at an early age. However, rules on the water are not common knowledge. The colors don’t have the same meaning that they do on land, so it can be very confusing for a new boater and even the most experienced boater can be puzzled at times.
To help you and your crew avoid wrong turns and accidents on the water, the Sea Tow Foundation has prepared the following list of boating navigation basics. While this list is not a substitute for all the rules that you should know (and would learn about in a boating safety course – which we suggest you take), it provides a good start.
Some Definitions to Help Get Started
Port - The left-hand side of the boat when facing forward. The port side of the boat must show a red light at night. An easy way to remember this is that LEFT and PORT have the same number of letters and RED is the shorter of the two color names to go with the shorter name of the two sides.
Starboard - The right-hand side of the boat when facing forward. The starboard side of the boat must show a green light at night.
Bow – The front of the boat when facing forward. At night, a white light and the edges of the red and green lights should be visible from the bow.
Stern – The back of the boat when facing forward. The stern must show a white light at night.
Buoy - An anchored float serving as a navigational marker. Buoys come in various shapes and colors, and each design has a different meaning. A buoy will also have colored lights on it so that it can be seen at night.
Green Buoys are square-shaped or have a squared-off top, have odd numbers, and are referred to as “cans” - an easy way to remember this is that the green soda brand with a certain odd number in its name comes in a can.
Red Buoys are triangle-shaped or pointed at the top, have even numbers, and are referred to as “nuns.”
If a buoy is both red and green, the shape of the buoy or the top color tells you the preferred channel to take your boat.
White Buoys or Signs with orange markings are informational or regulatory. They can tell you about a danger ahead like a rock, mark a swim area where you can’t take the boat, provide a speed limit, or mark a no wake notice.
White Buoys with a blue marking are for mooring or tying up the boat in the middle of the waterway.
Yellow buoys are used for special purposes to mark pipelines, cables, or other areas to avoid.
“Red, Right, Returning”
This is a common boating navigation phrase, but with red lights on the left (port) side of a boat and red buoys marking the channel, it can get confusing. In this case, the phrase is talking only about the buoys. When you are returning to your port, you should keep the red buoys on your starboard (right) side; the even numbers on the red markers will increase as you go upstream.
The Navigation Rules, Simplified
The Rule of Responsibility has two points: first, a boat’s operator is required to comply with rules and practice responsible seamanship that shows thought. Second, the boat’s operator must do everything possible to avoid a collision – even if that avoidance means breaking a rule.
Every boat is required to have a person whose only job is to keep a look-out around the entire boat. This job includes listening and looking for things in the way. If a boater is heading out on the water alone, this responsibility is something to be aware of.
Boats should be operated at a safe speed that allows plenty of time to avoid collision or stop before a dangerous situation develops. The safe speed may change due to the weather, other boating traffic, the type of boat, and time of day.
The Navigation Rules are much more detailed and there are many more rules than just these three that boaters are required to know and follow. We encourage you to take a boating safety course to learn more and suggest taking the new interactive, online course iLearntoBoat.
Did you know all of these rules or did you learn something new? What did we forget that you think we should have included? Let us know in the comments!
To continue providing these blogs, 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.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
When John and his 15-year-old grandson Beau left their home in Texas to travel to Louisiana to go fishing, they expected to land some redfish. Unfortunately, they ended up with a ticket and fine from the local marine patrol officer who explained to John that the free, online boater education class he took in Texas was not valid in Louisiana because the certificate wasn’t state-issued. Plus, Beau was too young to not have a life jacket on when the boat was in motion. The fishing trip turned out to be a lot more expensive and a lot less fun than John and Beau had planned because they didn’t know that boating laws are different in each state.
Next time, before John and Beau think about traveling out of state to boat, they will need to know and understand the laws that apply to the state they’ll be boating in. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) website has everything a boater would need to know about state-specific boating laws for every state and territory in the U.S.
On the NASBLA website, an informative portal can be used to quickly find state boating laws by clicking on the Boating Safety Dashboards. Each dashboard breaks down the information into categories such as Boating Education, BUI Enforcement, and Life Jackets, just to name a few. Clicking on a category will direct you to a series of interactive maps.
After clicking on “Boating Education” that will take you to a new page where you can see individual sets of data about boating education requirements for each state and territory. Using the Education Requirements – State map, clicking on your home state can tell you the following pieces of information:
Who is required to have a Boating Education Card in that state.
Whether the law applies to powerboats and what size motor or boat.
What is required for an adult visiting from another state (most states require a NASBLA-approved course)
If there is a minimum age for operating boats in the state
Whether taking a challenge exam is allowed instead of taking an approved course
And a link to the State’s Education Website is provided for additional information as well as contact information if other questions come up
Going back to the main dashboard, you can also click on the BUI Enforcement icon and, just like the Boating Education section, individual sets of data are available on the topic of Boating Under the Influence (BUI). While the penalties and punishments differ from state to state for BUI, you should know that boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in all U.S. states and territories. And, drinking any amount of alcohol while driving a boat makes it less safe for everyone on board because of the additional stressors involved with boating such as the wind, waves, and sun. In an attempt to eliminate boating under the influence accidents and fatalities, the Sea Tow Foundation developed the Sober Skipper Campaign, which urges boat drivers to make the right choice and take the pledge to abstain from drinking alcohol and taking drugs while driving a boat to keep you and any passengers on board safe on the water.
The NASBLA Life Jackets tab provides state-specific requirements for mandated life jacket wear by age and type of boat as well as whether season wear is required. While it’s important to stay in compliance with the law, to practice safe boating, smart boaters should go beyond the legal minimums to help keep everyone aboard safer. To learn more, check out the Sea Tow Foundation’s article Top 10 Times When You Should Absolutely, Positively Wear a Life Jacket. To borrow a life jacket at one of the 933 loaner stations nationwide, visit the Sea Tow Foundation’s online Life Jacket Loaner Station map nationwide.
Understanding (and complying) with state boating laws will go a long way to ensure you’re boating lawfully and can enjoy a safe, fun, and memorable boating experience – wherever your boating destination takes you!
To continue providing blogs, 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.
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