The Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program began in 2008 and, while there were a number of other loaner programs operating decades before, the Sea Tow Foundation learned from them and has developed a robust program that is easy for local organizations to implement and maintain. As we enter our 14th summer, the Sea Tow Foundation has been able to establish life jacket loaner stations in all 50 states as well as in D.C., American Samoa and the Virgin Islands and that is something that no other life loaner program can claim. Our other successes will be presented as well as discussion of our future plans for the Life Jacket Loaner Program in this session. Speaker: Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation, Executive Director

1. The Successes and Future Plans for the
Sea Tow Foundation’s
Life Jacket Loaner Program

2. What is the Sea Tow Foundation?
•Established in 2007 by founder of Sea Tow Services
International (leading on-water assistance and boat
towing provider)
•501 (c)(3) national non-profit organization
•Mission: Provide access to education, tools, and
resources in order to eliminate preventable boating
accidents and deaths.
•Funding provided by grant funds, donations, and
corporate sponsorships
www.boatingsafety.com

3. Life Jacket Loaner Program
•Began in 2008
•Life jackets available for the
public to borrow & return for free
•Located at boat ramps, fuel
docks, marinas, parks, offices,
etc.
•Loaner station hosts can be
businesses, government agencies,
municipalities, small non-profits,
and Sea Tow Franchisees

4. Ultimate Goal: Prevent Drowning
•Each year, 3,710 people drown (CDC)
•In boating, 534 people drowned in 2020 (USCG)
76% of all fatal boating accident victims
84% were not wearing a life jacket
•It takes 30 seconds to put on a life jacket
•State boating laws differ on wear – leads to confusion

5. Life Jacket Loaner Program Successes

6. 1. The Life Jackets
•Sizes include Infant,
Child, Youth, Adult
and XL
•Total of 36-48 will
be provided
•Life jackets come
screen-printed with
logos and specific
wording

7. 2. Life Jacket Loaner Stand
•A sign will be provided
for the top of the stand.
•And a brochure holder
will be attached to hold
informational brochures.
•The base can be filled
with water or buried to
provide stability.

8. 3. Life Jacket Drive Program
Way to collect new and gently used life
jackets from the local community for a
life jacket loaner station
Provided by the Sea Tow Foundation:
• Box signage decals
• Program Manual
www.lifejacketdrive.com

9. 4. Life Jacket Loaner Program Map
Where We Started
In 2008, we started our first station in NY.
Where We Are Today
950+ STF locations and Growing Even More in
2022!
www.boatingsafety.com/map

10. 5. Lots of community support
• Marinas
• Yacht Clubs
• US Power Squadrons
• US Coast Guard Auxiliary
• US Army Corps of Engineers
• Scouting Groups
• Parks & Rec Offices
• Municipal Governments
• Sea Tow Franchisees
• State Parks
• Law Enforcement Officers
• Community Centers
• Civic Groups
• Boating Clubs
• Safe Kids
• Libraries
• Family Advocacy Groups
• And Many More…

11. 6. Our Loaner Program Manual

12. 7. Monthly Online Reporting
www.boatingsafety.com/life-jacket-count-form

13. Future Plans for the Life Jacket
Loaner Program

14. Expand Even Further
• Get loaner stations in the last 3 US Territories
• Add more locations in states that have minimal
coverage
• Add more purple pins to the map
• Find a way to purchase even more life jackets and
stand building kits each year

15. Conference for Loaner Station Hosts
• Online conference
• Hear from drowning experts and life jacket
manufacturers
• Expand and build on best practices
• Learn successes/challenges from each other

16. Thank you!
Gail Kulp
Executive Director
Sea Tow Foundation
gkulp@seatow.com
631-876-5077
Any Questions?
Kim Perry
Program Admin.
Sea Tow Foundation
kperry@seatow.com
631-876-5085