Press Kits & Fact Sheets

Boating Safety Tips for Fall Boating

Annapolis, Md., Sept. 07, 2022 – Fall boating season has arrived, and with it come different types of risks that cold water and air temperatures bring. Here are three boating safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water just right for leaf peeping season. A float plan is needed: A float […]

New Boating Instruction Standards

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) in July published updated American National Standards for sailing, paddling and on-water instruction in human-propelled boating. The ABYC published an updated standard for on-water instruction in entry-level powerboat operation in December. The standards maintenance process takes place every five years to ensure standards remain current and relevant. Two […]

Boating Is Safer Than Ever, WSF Reports

U.S. Coast Guard reports boating safety figure improvements in 2021 despite historic growth in new boat ownership. WSF credits increased safety course enrollment. ORLANDO, Fla., August 16, 2022 – The U.S. Coast Guard’s latest 2021 Recreational Boating Statistics Report revealed boating safety improved with a 15.4% drop in the fatality rate per 100,000 registered […]

WSF’s Jim Emmons Talks Boating Safety With The Weather Channel

Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons is interviewed by The Weather Channel

Video Interview: WSF Associate Wins Top National Award for Public Relations Outreach

The Water Sports Foundation launched the first-ever national public relations campaign for recreational boating safety in 2021. Supported by the U.S. Coast Guard and executed by Kenton Smith Marketing, in its inaugural year the program exceeded its outreach goal by nearly ten times. The Sea Tow Foundation honored the program with its National Boating Industry Safety Award […]

Hundreds of Thousands of New Boaters and Paddlers Expected Fourth of July Weekend

Water Sports Foundation offers seven safety tips for sharing waterways with inexperienced boaters ORLANDO, Fla., June 14, 2022 –Millions of boaters are expected to head out on the water this Fourth of July weekend, including more than 830,000 first time boat buyers who purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in crowds coupled with the […]

Sea Tow Foundation Adds Nine Industry Leaders to Serve on its Boating Safety Advisory Council

June 9, 2022 – Nine new marine industry stakeholders were recently elected to serve two-year terms beginning June 1, 2022, on the Sea Tow Foundation’s Boating Safety Advisory Council. Established in 2019, the advisory council collaborates on multiple national boating safety initiatives and also judges and selects the most outstanding efforts by marine industry companies […]

First-Time Boat Buyers Exceed 415,000 for Second Time in 15 Years

The NMMA and Info-Link, a market intelligence firm serving the recreational boating industry, reported today that 420,000 first-time boat buyers of new and pre-owned boats entered the market in 2021, on par with 2020 – levels the industry hasn’t seen since 2007. First-time boat buyers accounted for 34 percent of boat sales in 2021, driving […]

WSF’s Jim Emmons Live on The Weather Channel

Boating safety education and training has never been more important. Since 2020, more than 830,000 first-time boat owners hit the water many of whom lack safety education and training.

National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27: 3 Safety Changes You Need To Know Provided by BoatUS Foundation

ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 9, 2022 – National Safe Boating Week arrives May 21–27 with an annual reminder for boaters to champion recreational boating safety all summer long. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water suggests that boat owners need to know about three recent U.S. Coast Guard regulations that have changed, what’s needed to be […]

Sea Tow Foundation Offers Free Resource Kit for National Safe Boating Week

Southold, NY, April 25, 2022 – In an effort to maximize the potential for positive boating safety messaging prior to the busy boating season, the Sea Tow Foundation has created a National Safe Boating Week Resource Kit available free of charge to marine industry stakeholders. The kit offers instructions on how to share a wealth […]

10 Important Tips from the Water Sports Foundation to Keep Boaters Safe this Busy 2022 Boating Season

– Memorial Day is the Traditional Launch to Seasonal Boating Activity – Orlando, Fla, May 4, 2022 – With a 35% increase in new boat ownership and 415,000 new boaters taking to the waterways since 2020, boating participation will reach historic levels of participation this summer, says Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons. With […]

As Record Numbers of Paddlers Take to The Water, Accidents Surge

More than one-third of victims had less than 10 hours experience in paddlesports; experts cited lack of safety training as an important contributing factor ORLANDO, Fla. – April 12, 2022 – A record 37.9 million participants engaged in paddlesports like kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding during the pandemic according to the latest data (2020) from […]

Top Tips for ECOS Wear - CREDIT - National Safe Boating Council

Top Tips for Wearing Your Engine Cutoff Switch Lanyard

BoatUS Foundation offers safe & comfortable options for regulation compliance ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 22, 2022 – Last summer was the first full season boaters were required to use an engine cutoff switch as a result of a new law that went into effect on April 1, 2021. The law mandates the use of either a helm […]

Water Sports Foundation Reports Pandemic Spike in Online Boater Education

-National Boating Safety Experts Say the Pandemic Likely Created a Surge in Boater Education and an Unprecedented Shift to Virtual Training- ORLANDO, Fla. – March 16, 2022 – The Water Sports Foundation reports a major surge in boater education enrollment across the nation, marked by new online delivery trends. As the non-profit educational arm of […]

Water Sports Foundation Campaign Wins National Boating Industry Safety Award

Southold, NY, December 8, 2021 – The Sea Tow Foundation and its Boating Safety Advisory Council announced six winners today of their National Boating Industry Safety Awards which recognizes the best boating safety work in the for-profit section of the recreational boating industry. Sponsored for the second year by KICKER Marine Audio, the six top […]

Water Sports Foundation’s Tips for a Fun and Safe Holiday Boat Parade

ORLANDO, Fla. — December 2, 2021 — Whether you’re a spectator or a participant, nighttime boat parades featuring festive lights and creative boat and yacht displays can be one of the most fun and memorable traditions of the entire holiday season. From San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Lights & Sights Boat Parade to the […]

Coast Guard Announces Appointments to National Boating Safety Advisory Committee

The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the appointment of twenty individuals to serve as members of the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee (NBSAC).