The BoatUS Foundation is now accepting applications for a new pilot version of its nationally recognized Life Jacket Loaner Program, aimed at making life jackets easier to borrow and more accessible for families and boaters across the country.
Announced Feb. 17, the new pilot program introduces digital checkout technology designed to remove common barriers to life jacket use, including cost, availability, and limited staffing. Parks, marinas, campgrounds, fuel docks, fire departments, and waterfront businesses are encouraged to apply before the March 27, 2026 deadline.
The pilot program will test three different loaner models. These include unstaffed locations such as loaner boards and dock boxes that provide 24/7 access to life jackets, staffed locations where marina or shop employees distribute jackets directly to borrowers, and digital locker systems that use secure, automated storage with electronic locks to manage inventory and track usage.
“These pilot models represent the next evolution of our long-standing Life Jacket Loaner Program,” said Tiffany Gonzalez, BoatUS Foundation program manager. “They allow us to connect with sites and borrowers in smarter ways, helping us better understand community needs, best practices, and program impact.”
Data collected during the pilot will help the boating industry identify effective strategies for increasing access to life jackets and improving proper wear, particularly for children. The Foundation emphasized that innovation is key to ensuring loaner programs remain sustainable and impactful while reducing loss and misuse.
The project is supported by a $375,000 grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
First launched in 1996, the BoatUS Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program became the nation’s first coordinated effort focused on providing properly fitted life jackets to the public, especially children. Today, the program loans an average of 140,000 life jackets each year and operates more than 600 loaner sites nationwide.
Organizations interested in hosting one of the pilot loaner sites can find application details at BoatUS.org/Life-Jacket-Loaner/Apply. Applications must be submitted by March 27, 2026.
For communities looking to expand boating safety while removing barriers to access, the new pilot program offers a practical and forward-looking opportunity to make a meaningful difference on the water.
