The Nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation Urges Boaters to Have
A Designated Skipper at the Wheel Over Labor Day Weekend
21% of All Boating-Related Deaths Involve Alcohol Use
Southold, N.Y. – The Sea Tow Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting boating safety, reminds boaters to have a Designated Skipper at the wheel at all times this Labor Day weekend if alcohol will be consumed by other passengers on board – just as they would choose a Designated Driver for their car while enjoying a night on the town with friends.
This reminder is part of the Sea Tow Foundation's recently launched Designated Skipper campaign – a nationwide effort, which is supported by a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund as administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The campaign's goal is to help eliminate boating under the influence (BUI) and alcohol-related accidents on the water while keeping boating fun for everyone.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2014 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, 21 percent of boating fatalities involved alcohol, making BUI the highest contributing factor.
BUI is against the law in all states. While it is always safer for all passengers on board to remain sober, should individuals choose to drink alcoholic beverages while boating, the Sea Tow Foundation's Designated Skipper campaign and the Coast Guard encourage boaters to be or to designate a skipper to stay sober and operate the boat every time they leave the dock. This person should be someone with boating experience who is capable of safely operating a vessel.
"We want boaters to have fun out on the water. However, we encourage them to pick a Designated Skipper who will avoid alcohol and handle the driving, making sure everyone aboard arrives home safely," said Michael Wesolowski, executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation. "This program complements the U.S. Coast Guard's enforcement efforts on the water by promoting BUI awareness and voluntary prevention by boaters."
The Sea Tow Foundation's Designated Skipper program is a major nationwide marketing campaign that involves social media, print advertising, digital advertising, email marketing, video and audio public service announcements (PSAs), as well as free pamphlets, stickers, posters, wristbands and other items that are placed in areas where boaters will see and pick them up. These eye-catching reminders can be found at marinas, fuel docks, ship's supply stores, and on life jacket loaner stands. Many bars and restaurants frequented by boaters also are distributing coasters, wristbands and stickers with the Designated Skipper message on them to keep the Designated Skipper message top of mind.
In addition, Sea Tow captains are reminding boaters and Sea Tow members to have a designated skipper while out on the water. For more information about the campaign, please visit DesignatedSkipper.com.
About the Sea Tow Foundation
In 2007, Sea Tow Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer created the Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – to promote safe boating practices. The Foundation's goal is to reduce accidents, fatalities and property damage related to recreational boating. For more information, please visit boatingsafety.com.
About Sea Tow
Sea Tow Services International Inc. is the nation's leading on-water assistance provider for boaters. Established in 1983 by Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow serves members inland to the coast throughout the United States, Europe, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. For a full list of membership benefits, how to become a Sea Tow member or to inquire about becoming a Sea Tow franchise owner, please visit seatow.com. Sea Tow also offers free boating safety information including the Sea Tow App for smartphones, Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check Service, and the nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station program. For more information, visit seatow.com and boatingsafety.com.
Serving Boaters Since 1983
A Designated Skipper at the Wheel Over Labor Day Weekend
21% of All Boating-Related Deaths Involve Alcohol Use
Southold, N.Y. – The Sea Tow Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting boating safety, reminds boaters to have a Designated Skipper at the wheel at all times this Labor Day weekend if alcohol will be consumed by other passengers on board – just as they would choose a Designated Driver for their car while enjoying a night on the town with friends.
This reminder is part of the Sea Tow Foundation's recently launched Designated Skipper campaign – a nationwide effort, which is supported by a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund as administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The campaign's goal is to help eliminate boating under the influence (BUI) and alcohol-related accidents on the water while keeping boating fun for everyone.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2014 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, 21 percent of boating fatalities involved alcohol, making BUI the highest contributing factor.
BUI is against the law in all states. While it is always safer for all passengers on board to remain sober, should individuals choose to drink alcoholic beverages while boating, the Sea Tow Foundation's Designated Skipper campaign and the Coast Guard encourage boaters to be or to designate a skipper to stay sober and operate the boat every time they leave the dock. This person should be someone with boating experience who is capable of safely operating a vessel.
"We want boaters to have fun out on the water. However, we encourage them to pick a Designated Skipper who will avoid alcohol and handle the driving, making sure everyone aboard arrives home safely," said Michael Wesolowski, executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation. "This program complements the U.S. Coast Guard's enforcement efforts on the water by promoting BUI awareness and voluntary prevention by boaters."
The Sea Tow Foundation's Designated Skipper program is a major nationwide marketing campaign that involves social media, print advertising, digital advertising, email marketing, video and audio public service announcements (PSAs), as well as free pamphlets, stickers, posters, wristbands and other items that are placed in areas where boaters will see and pick them up. These eye-catching reminders can be found at marinas, fuel docks, ship's supply stores, and on life jacket loaner stands. Many bars and restaurants frequented by boaters also are distributing coasters, wristbands and stickers with the Designated Skipper message on them to keep the Designated Skipper message top of mind.
In addition, Sea Tow captains are reminding boaters and Sea Tow members to have a designated skipper while out on the water. For more information about the campaign, please visit DesignatedSkipper.com.
About the Sea Tow Foundation
In 2007, Sea Tow Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer created the Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – to promote safe boating practices. The Foundation's goal is to reduce accidents, fatalities and property damage related to recreational boating. For more information, please visit boatingsafety.com.
About Sea Tow
Sea Tow Services International Inc. is the nation's leading on-water assistance provider for boaters. Established in 1983 by Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow serves members inland to the coast throughout the United States, Europe, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. For a full list of membership benefits, how to become a Sea Tow member or to inquire about becoming a Sea Tow franchise owner, please visit seatow.com. Sea Tow also offers free boating safety information including the Sea Tow App for smartphones, Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check Service, and the nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station program. For more information, visit seatow.com and boatingsafety.com.
Serving Boaters Since 1983
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