SOUTHOLD, NY — The Sea Tow Foundation is casting a wide net for voices across the boating industry as it embarks on a new national research initiative aimed at strengthening how safety messages are delivered to consumers. The nonprofit organization is calling on boat dealers, accessory retailers, and manufacturers to participate in confidential, one-on-one interviews this July — all in an effort to shape more effective boating safety outreach and materials.
These voluntary Zoom interviews are part of a federally funded project under the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Each participant will receive a $100 VISA gift card in exchange for their time and feedback. All contributions will remain anonymous in the final reports.
The goal of the initiative is to gather real-world insight into how for-profit boating businesses perceive and approach customer safety education. Responses will directly influence the creation of practical, ready-to-use materials that companies can implement to better engage customers with relevant safety information.
“We know safety is a shared priority across the industry, but many companies aren’t sure where to start or how to communicate these messages in a way that sticks,” said Gail R. Kulp, Executive Director of the Sea Tow Foundation. “Through this research, we want to better understand what’s working, what’s not, and what businesses actually need to support their customers while out on the water.”
The Sea Tow Foundation has a long history of supporting boating safety through grassroots campaigns, life jacket loaner programs, and industry partnerships. This latest project zeroes in on the potential for greater collaboration between nonprofit safety advocates and the businesses that serve boaters directly.
By tapping into the experience and perspective of those on the sales floor and in the manufacturing pipeline, the Foundation hopes to address a persistent gap in how safety messaging is delivered. The findings will be used to develop new strategies, outreach templates, and tools that align with the pace and language of today’s boating marketplace.
Interviews will be scheduled throughout July, with flexible time slots available for industry professionals across the country. For those interested in taking part, more information and a sign-up form can be found online at boatingsafety.com/page/Interviews.
As recreational boating continues to grow in popularity, the Sea Tow Foundation is working to ensure that safety remains front and center — not just for seasoned mariners, but for every new customer stepping onto a dock or showroom floor.
