Life Jacket Use High at NMMA Boat Shows
09-26-2018, 11:28 AM
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Life Jacket Use High at NMMA Boat Shows
Life Jacket Awareness and Use High at NMMA Boat Shows
Hundreds of Families Took Advantage of Sea Tow Foundation’s Free Life Jackets
SOUTHOLD, N.Y. – Thanks to the Sea Tow Foundation – a national nonprofit dedicated to the education and awareness of safe boating practices – more than 650 individuals and family members attending this year’s Tampa and Norwalk Boat Shows left with a better understanding of the importance of life jacket use.
Through partnerships with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Onyx, the Sea Tow Foundation set up two Life Jacket Loaner Stations at each of the two boat shows and loaned out 672 life jackets across both shows, which were held from September 9-10 and September 20-23, respectively.
These stations are part of the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program – which features more than 450 locations nationwide where boaters can borrow life jackets for free and return them at the end of their boating trip. The life jacket loaner stations at the Norwalk and Tampa Boat Shows ensured that life jackets were made available for children and adults visiting the shows as they walked the docks and explored the boats and other exhibits on display.
Each life jacket loaner station was staffed by volunteers from several local organizations, as well as local Sea Tow members and other members of the community. All told, there were 65 volunteers between the two shows – many of which were students in high school.
“I consider these results a huge success, and by simply providing free life jackets that show attendees could borrow, we helped instill a lifelong message about the importance of always keeping safety first whenever boaters are on or around the water,” said Gail R. Kulp, executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation. “One of the first things taught in a boating safety class is the importance of wearing a life jacket, both on the water and before leaving the dock. No one intends to end up in the water, but sometimes it just happens; and that’s why we were at the show.”
Kulp added that the Foundation’s presence at the shows was especially beneficial to families, as it provided a valuable learning experience to young boaters, in particular.
“We want to educate as many people as we can – especially young children – about the importance of wearing a properly-fitted life jacket anytime they are around the water,” Kulp said. “Knowing that 672 infants and young children borrowed our life jackets and that their parents were educated on how to ensure the life jacket fits properly was a good sign that we are instilling a message that wearing a life jacket is important, easy and can even be fun.”
The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has established a presence at more than five boat shows across the country.
To learn more about the Sea Tow Foundation and its programs, or to find a Life Jacket Loaner Station near you, visit www.boatingsafety.com.
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Sea Tow Foundation
With a focus on safe boating practices that result in fun on the water, the Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – was established in 2007 by Sea Tow Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer. After his passing in 2015, Captain Joe’s legacy continues as the Foundation brings attention to the number of preventable boating-related accidents, injuries, and deaths, and directly addresses prevention methods through education and awareness. More than 450 life jacket loaner stands are now available across the United States and the Foundation’s Designate a Sober Skipper program continues to grow. For more information, please visit BoatingSafety.com.
Hundreds of Families Took Advantage of Sea Tow Foundation’s Free Life Jackets
SOUTHOLD, N.Y. – Thanks to the Sea Tow Foundation – a national nonprofit dedicated to the education and awareness of safe boating practices – more than 650 individuals and family members attending this year’s Tampa and Norwalk Boat Shows left with a better understanding of the importance of life jacket use.
Through partnerships with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Onyx, the Sea Tow Foundation set up two Life Jacket Loaner Stations at each of the two boat shows and loaned out 672 life jackets across both shows, which were held from September 9-10 and September 20-23, respectively.
These stations are part of the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program – which features more than 450 locations nationwide where boaters can borrow life jackets for free and return them at the end of their boating trip. The life jacket loaner stations at the Norwalk and Tampa Boat Shows ensured that life jackets were made available for children and adults visiting the shows as they walked the docks and explored the boats and other exhibits on display.
Each life jacket loaner station was staffed by volunteers from several local organizations, as well as local Sea Tow members and other members of the community. All told, there were 65 volunteers between the two shows – many of which were students in high school.
“I consider these results a huge success, and by simply providing free life jackets that show attendees could borrow, we helped instill a lifelong message about the importance of always keeping safety first whenever boaters are on or around the water,” said Gail R. Kulp, executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation. “One of the first things taught in a boating safety class is the importance of wearing a life jacket, both on the water and before leaving the dock. No one intends to end up in the water, but sometimes it just happens; and that’s why we were at the show.”
Kulp added that the Foundation’s presence at the shows was especially beneficial to families, as it provided a valuable learning experience to young boaters, in particular.
“We want to educate as many people as we can – especially young children – about the importance of wearing a properly-fitted life jacket anytime they are around the water,” Kulp said. “Knowing that 672 infants and young children borrowed our life jackets and that their parents were educated on how to ensure the life jacket fits properly was a good sign that we are instilling a message that wearing a life jacket is important, easy and can even be fun.”
The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has established a presence at more than five boat shows across the country.
To learn more about the Sea Tow Foundation and its programs, or to find a Life Jacket Loaner Station near you, visit www.boatingsafety.com.
# # #
Sea Tow Foundation
With a focus on safe boating practices that result in fun on the water, the Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – was established in 2007 by Sea Tow Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer. After his passing in 2015, Captain Joe’s legacy continues as the Foundation brings attention to the number of preventable boating-related accidents, injuries, and deaths, and directly addresses prevention methods through education and awareness. More than 450 life jacket loaner stands are now available across the United States and the Foundation’s Designate a Sober Skipper program continues to grow. For more information, please visit BoatingSafety.com.
