Through the Sea Tow Foundation’s™ Life Jacket Loaner Program, local groups are helping ensure that boaters of all ages have access to properly fitting life jackets. No matter where the adventure takes them, safety always comes first on the water.
Ashleigh Iserman Boating Safety Foundation
For Jan Wilhite-Iserman, every life jacket loaner station is a labor of love and a tribute to her daughter, Ashleigh.
In 2004, Ashleigh tragically lost her life in a personal watercraft accident just one day before her high school graduation. That devastating loss prompted her family into action. Through their advocacy efforts, the Ashleigh Iserman Law was passed, and it enforces stronger personal watercraft safety regulations across Michigan.
Years later, Jan met Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director Gail Kulp, and immediately knew a strong connection was made.
“When I met Gail and learned about the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program, I knew it was exactly what we needed to carry Ashleigh’s legacy forward,” Jan said. “It was such a natural fit, to combine education, awareness, and access so no one else would experience what our family did.”
Since then, the Iserman family has turned their grief into impact. Working with the Sea Tow Foundation, the Michigan DNR, and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, they opened three life jacket loaner stations, including one at the site of Ashleigh’s accident. Each station serves as both a practical safety tool and a heartfelt reminder of why water safety matters.
“We wanted something permanent that not only carried Ashleigh’s name but also helped prevent future tragedies,” said Jan.
Today, Jan’s mission continues to grow, not just through the life jacket stations, but through every conversation, class, and community touched by Ashleigh’s story. Her message is simple yet powerful: with education, awareness, and care, tragedies like hers can be prevented, and lives can be saved.
Hampton Rotary Club
Along New Hampshire’s seacoast, the Hampton Rotary Club is turning its service-driven mission toward keeping boaters safe.
Their life jacket loaner station, located at the state boat ramp on Hampton Harbor, has become a trusted local resource. Thanks to its high visibility and support from state staff and harbormasters, the station operates smoothly and efficiently.
Local harbormasters and the U.S. Coast Guard have become strong allies, directing boaters without required personal flotation devices (PFDs) to the Hampton Rotary life jacket loaner station. Often saving a fun day on the water from being cut short.
“Rotary International’s core mission is about promoting health, saving lives, and serving the community,” said club member and loaner station host David Considine. “The life jacket loaner program is a practical response to that and a great example of service above self.”
Even small moments reflect the program’s impact. Visitors often leave handwritten thank-you notes — quiet reminders of how a community's shared commitment can make local waterways safer for everyone.
A Shared Mission on the Water
From the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast, these loaner station hosts prove how powerful local action can be. Each loaner station represents more than a piece of safety equipment, it represents community, compassion, and the shared belief that one simple choice can save a life.
The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program continues to grow, with over 1,300 stations nationwide and countless stories behind each one. To find a loaner station near you or to learn how to become a life jacket loaner host, visit https://www.boatingsafety.com/page/life-jacket-loaner-program
© 2025, Sea Tow Services International, Inc. (“STSI”). Subject to Sea Tow Foundation’s licensed use of STSI’s trademarks. All rights reserved. 6-016-25
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