safety

Water Sports Foundation Launches New “National Boating Safety Media Center” as Part of Media Outreach Campaign

As part of a U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Outreach Grant, the Water Sports Foundation (WSF) has just completed the first phase and launch of its new “National Boating Safety Media Center” which is designed to facilitate and support the work of journalists assigned to cover boating safety topics.

Grant Headifen

Grant Headifen is the Global Director of Education for NauticEd, a state-of-the-art sailing education organization featuring an e-learning theory curriculum for sailing knowledge and a practical on-the-water skills training program through a global network of instructors.

Video: Designated Sober Skipper – Family

Designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock who will be responsible for passengers and vessel. Support the Designated Skipper Campaign in your area.

Video: Designated Sober Skipper – Friends

Designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock who will be responsible for passengers and vessel. Support the Designated Skipper Campaign in your area.

Photos: Sober Skipper Program

Photos showing various aspects of the Sea Tow Foundation’s Sober Skipper program.

Sober Skipper

The US Coast Guard has reported that Boating Under the Influence is a major problem on our nation’s waterways, yet it is 100% preventable. The Sober Skipper Program strives to eliminate BUI injuries and fatalities by encouraging boaters to “Take the Pledge” to be or to designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock or […]

Professional Angler Scott Martin Shares His Most Important Boating Tip

This video reminds boaters that operating a boat under the impairment of alcohol or drugs is a really bad idea. Alcohol is the number one leading contributor to boating accidents. Take the pledge and Ride Dry, Drive Dry or at least designate a sober skipper.

Video: Captain Benny Blanco Shares His Most Important Boating Tip

This video reminds boaters that operating a boat under the impairment of alcohol or drugs is really bad idea. Alcohol is the number one leading contributor to boating accidents. Take the pledge and Ride Dry, Drive Dry or at least designate a sober skipper.

Keeping Journalists Afloat: The Latest News, Trends and Insights About Life Jackets and Boating Safety

Reporters covering boating accidents know to ask about life jackets, because the question goes to the How and Why of fatal accidents and miracle survival stories alike. But the deeper context can be harder to capture, especially on a short deadline…

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 1 // Life Jackets

Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe describe how to choose and adjust the most important piece of boating gear — your life jacket.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 2 // What to Wear

Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe help you dress for paddling success.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 4 // How to Paddle

Let’s start at the beginning. Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe demonstrates the three basic strokes you need to go, turn and stop.

Video: Paddling Shorts Ep. 5 // File Your Plan

Let friends and family know where you’re going and when to expect you back. Paddling experts Kate and Paul Kuthe describe the basics of filing a float plan.

Video: Kayak Fishing Safety Minute with Chad Hoover

Expert Chad Hoover takes one minute to talk a little kayak fishing safety.

Video: La Nieta Sabia / The Wise Granddaughter (Radio Spot)

In this Spanish-language radio spot, a wise granddaughter tells her grandfather that the life jackets of today are lighter and more comfortable than ever, and most importantly—they save lives. (English subtitles available.)

Video: Shared Waterways – Safely Using America’s Resources

This video reminds boaters of all types, both commercial and recreational, from kayakers to shipping freighters that our nation’s waterways are a shared resource and that a certain level of responsibility to safely share our waterways is the duty of all boaters. See if the scenarios in this video remind you of your local waterway!

Video: Life Jackets and Seat Belts, It’s Your Choice

This creative video contrasts the societal norms of seat belt usage in cars against life jacket wear rates in boats but, it doesn’t matter which mode of transportation, once you’ve realized that you’re about to be in an accident, there’s no time to buckle up in a car or a boat. Watch how these two scenarios unfold.

Video: Lake of the Ozarks Impairment

Watch for the first time as we see the lasting effects that impaired boating has on first responders as Lake of the Ozarks Missouri Highway Patrolmen share their insights on years of impaired boater accident investigations. Corporal Stacey Mosher (25 years with Missouri water patrol) reports that alcohol was involved in every fatal incident she’s investigated, so it’s important for boaters, just like drivers, to always designate a sober skipper.