LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM

Since 2008, the Sea Tow Foundation has received funding from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, administrered by the U.S. Coast Guard, which has enabled distribution of over 106,000 life jackets to local businesses and organizations across the country. The over 1,300 life jacket loaner stations currently in operation are placed in locations where boaters will have easy access to the life jackets, such as boat ramps, marinas, and parks. See the map here. Boaters may borrow the life jackets at no cost and are asked to return them when they are finished so that they are available for others to use.

The 2026 Grant Application is now closed. To be notified when life jackets become available, please CLICK HERE.  

You can also check out the most recent Terms and Conditions.

RESOURCES FOR LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM
GRANT RECIPIENTS AND GRANT APPLICANTS

MANUALS AND PROGRAM INFORMATION

Life Jacket Loaner Program Manual 

2025 Life Jacket Loaner Stand Kit Assembly Instructions (An updated one will be released for 2026 this summer)

Life Jacket Drive Program

Life Jacket Drive Manual

Promote Your Life Jacket Loaner Program Resource Kit

REPORTING FORMS AND WORKSHEETS

Grant Reporting Submission Link and Dates

Reporting Worksheet for Monthly Reports

Life Jacket Loaner Station Photo Submission Form

LIFE JACKET LOANER STATION LOCATIONS

Map of Life Jacket Loaner Stations

Life Jacket Loaner Station Location Submission Form

ONLINE STORE AND OTHER RESOURCES

Online Store for Program Materials

Loaner Station Designs and Building Plans

Search our Blog for any Boating Safety Topic

National Safe Boating Week

Life Jacket Loaner Station Spotlight

Life Jacket Challenge

Other Resources 

DO YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS HAVE LIFE JACKETS TO DONATE?

If you have new or gently-used life jackets to donate, the Sea Tow Foundation can help you find a life jacket loaner station near you that can use them.

Fill out this form and within a few days you will hear from us to connect you to a loaner station host in your area. 

To be sure your life jackets are in serviceable condition to be used again, refer to the checklist below or to this blog on how to inspect a life jacket.

How to Fit a Life Jacket

The U.S. 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.

For more details read the full blog here.

Click here to download the infographic.

ORGANIZE and HOst a Life Jacket Drive          

Host a Life Jacket Drive to collect new and gently used life jackets to help restock an existing station or start a new one with community-donated life jackets.  Click here for the Life Jacket Drive Manual and other free resources and materials.

Life Jacket SPONSORSHIP

Work with the Sea Tow Foundation to order a custom supply of life jackets featuring your company logo and information.
• Design: Blue life jackets with white ink (pictured below)
• Minimum order: 246 life jackets in various sizes
• Custom signage with your logo
For more details on the process and sponsorship fees click here.