Marinas, waterfront restaurants, boat clubs and other businesses wishing to make an impact on boating safety in their home waters can apply now to become a BoatUS Foundation Kid’s Life Jacket Loaner program site. Supported by BoatUS member donations, the program offers a simple way to help children and young adults get the right-sized life jacket when they go boating, sailing or fishing for the day or weekend.
“Sometimes boaters may not have a correctly-sized life jacket for every younger guest aboard,” said BoatUS Foundation program administrator Lynne O’Hearn. “That’s where local groups partnering with us can help ensure everyone has the right fit for safety. You want to avoid giving a child in a too-big life jacket, which they may be able to slip out of.”
There are currently more than 575 BoatUS Foundation life jacket loaner sites across the U.S. and becoming one is easy and free: Apply at BoatUS.org/Life-Jacket-Loaner.
Approved locations will receive 12 children’s life jackets in a variety of sizes from infant to youth, as well as signage and a local publicity kit. Life jackets are replenished every year as wear and tear takes its toll.
What’s the catch?
In addition to requiring life jackets be stored in a secure, protected storage area, you must be willing to help the Foundation track life jacket usage with an easy clipboard sign-out system and help maintain the program by providing feedback when life jackets need replacement.
About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 725,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways, and keeping boating safe for all. A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation's largest free online boating safety course – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses. The Foundation is rated 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator, an independent charity assessment organization.
