Boat U.S. Foundation Programs

Rental EPIRBS available. In an emergency, an activated EPIRB, or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, will notify search and rescue authorities of the unit’s location. The BoatU.S. Foundation rents 406 EPIRBs to boaters for just $50 a week. A pretty great deal if you consider that a new EPIRB can cost up to $800! Reserving an EPIRB is easy, visit www.boatus.com/foundation/epirb 24 hours a day or call (888) 663-7472, Monday – Friday, 12p.m. – 5p.m.

BoatU.S. Foundation Grant Program

Each year, the Foundation awards grants to local nonprofit groups that educate boaters about safe and clean boating practices. For information regarding the Boating Safety Grant Program, contact boatingsafety@boatus.com. For information regarding the Clean Water Grant Program, contact cleanwater@boatus.com.

Online Course

Our online boating safety course is free! The BoatU.S. Foundation offers the only free NASBLA-approved general boating online course in the country and it satisfies the mandatory boating education requirement for many states. We also have an 800 course line to help you find a classroom boating course in your local area. Visit www.boatus.com/onlinecourse. Or call 1-800-336-BOAT to locate a course near you.

Free Brochures

Need educational materials? The Foundation gives out free brochures on topics ranging from weather to pumping out holding tanks and everything in between. Visit www.boatus.com/foundation/brochure/default.htm to see a complete list and request free literature.

Sportsman's Forum

Sportsman’s Forum has a new free guidebook! The Sportsman’s forum – comprised of the BoatU.S. Foundation, Ducks unlimited, the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, the North American Outdoors Group, B.A.S.S, Cabela’s and others—has produced a 37-page guide and CD called “Boating Tips for Hunters and Anglers.” It offers tips such as choosing the proper life jacket and how to protect against hypothermia. All information and pictures are royalty free and can be reprinted or downloaded from our website. Visit www.boatus.com/foundation/sportsman for more info.

Foundation Findings

Did you know that the BoatU.S. Foundation takes time to test products and services for boaters? That’s right - the Foundation has published over 36 articles in this product testing and research series. These tests provide information to educate boaters and help them make purchase decisions. Our staff has tested everything from oil removal products to doggie life jackets, from fire extinguishers to FRS radios and more. We are always looking for new products on the market that can help boaters be safer and cleaner on the water.  Visit www.boatus.com/foundation/Findings/index.htm for more info.

Life Jacket Loaner Program

Since 1997, this nationwide program has expanded to include almost every region in the country. There are currently more than 300 waterfront businesses and marinas that have partnered with the Foundation to provide free loaner life jackets to children. If a boating family discovers that they do not have enough properly fitting jackets for all the children on -board, they can simply visit a loaner site and check out a jacket for the day or weekend. Many TowBoatU.S. vessels also carry loaner jackets on-board.

The success of this teamwork is keeping kids safe while enjoying a day on the water! Go to www.boatus.com/foundation/LJLP/index.htm to learn more about this program.

Courseline

Boating education is an important part of safe and environmentally friendly boating. Since 1984, the Foundation has been providing the toll-free Foundation Courseline as a free service to boaters. This line supplies current information on boating safety courses offered around the nation. The Courseline Online is the new internet program to support the Courseline. After years of success, the BoatU.S. Foundation now makes this information available to you on the internet for your added convenience. Visit www.boatus.com/courseline/default.asp or call 1-888-336-BOAT.

Environmental:

Great Lakes Marina Education

As part of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant, Foundation staff works in the Great Lakes states to help marina operators better understand EPA pollution prevention regulations. Through this grant, the Foundation helps marinas be better prepared for petroleum spills or accidents, and assist their customers in cleaner fueling habits.

Clean Marina Program

Around the country, more states are developing voluntary Clean Marina Programs to help marinas and boat yards adopt cleaner, greener operating practices. BoatU.S. Foundation staff help develop guidelines and educational materials for these programs, and act as a liaison between state governments and marina operators.