To help prevent powerboat drivers under the influence from getting behind the wheel, the Sea Tow Foundation—a non-profit organization that’s associated with the nation’s leading on-water assistance service and is dedicated to promoting boater safety—has introduced its Designated Skipper campaign across the United States. According to a press release from the organization, the goal of the new program to help eliminate boating under the influence (BUI) and alcohol-related accidents on the water by designating a skipper to stay sober at all times during operation of the boat. The program is supported by a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund as administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

“We don’t want to tell boaters not to have fun out on the water,” said Kristen Frohnhoefer, vice president of the Sea Tow Foundation board of directors, in the press release. “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. 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.”

According to the release, it takes less than five minutes to join the Designated Skipper campaign. All a boater needs to do is visit the DesignatedSkipper.com website and “Take the Pledge” to respect the legal drinking age, be responsible for his or her vessel and all passengers and be or designate a sober skipper.

In addition to grant funding, the Designated Skipper campaign relies on strategic partnerships between the Sea Tow Foundation and other organizations in and associated with the marine industry. 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.

Photo courtesy/copyright Jay Nichols/Naples Image