Designated Skipper campaign launches nationwide

SOUTHOLD, N.Y. – In honor of National Safe Boating Week, the non-profit Sea Tow Foundation announced the nationwide rollout of its Designated Skipper campaign.

The goal of this program, which is supported by a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund as administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, is to help eliminate boating under the influence (BUI) and alcohol-related accidents on the water while keeping boating fun for everyone. BUI is against the law in all states.

While always safer for all passengers on a boat 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 designate a skipper to stay sober and operate the boat every time they leave the dock.

“We don’t want to tell boaters not to have fun out on the water. We just want to encourage them to pick a designated skipper for their boat who will stay sober, do the driving and make sure everybody gets home safely – the same thing they would if they were heading out for a night of fun in their car,” said Kristen Frohnhoefer, vice president of the Sea Tow Foundation Board of Directors. “Our program is designed to complement the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement efforts on the water by promoting BUI awareness and voluntary prevention by boaters.”

The Designated Skipper campaign incorporates a major nationwide marketing campaign that includes 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 giveaways placed in areas where boaters will see and pick them up. These marketing materials will be available in marinas, fuel docks, ship’s supply stores and on life jacket loaner stands. Bars and restaurants frequented by boaters will be given free coasters, wristbands and stickers with the Designated Skipper message on them. In addition, Sea Tow captains across the U.S. are mounting grassroots efforts to spread the word about Designated Skipper to their local Sea Tow members and other boaters in the region.

Organizations and companies that want to help promote the Sea Tow Foundation’s Designated Skipper campaign may visit DesignatedSkipper.com to order free campaign materials and giveaways that they can distribute to the boaters in their area.