The Sea Tow Foundation in partnership with its Boating Safety Advisory Council, announced the winners of the 2026 National Boating Safety Awards. The awards recognize outstanding efforts within the industry that promote safe and responsible boating.

“The 2026 winners demonstrate just how many different ways our industry focuses on safe and responsible boating,” Gail R. Kulp, executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation, said in a press release. “From hands-on education and innovative technology to community programs, partnerships and individual leadership, these efforts are connecting with boaters and helping them become more confident on the water.”

The National Boating Safety Award winners include:

  • Best Boating Safety Education & Training Program: BoatClass for its hands-on boating courses.
  • Best Youth Boating Safety Initiative: SUNY Maritime College for its Maritime Adventure Boat Camp.
  • Best Boating Safety Community Engagement Program: Sawyer Paddles and Oars for its Fit to Float life jacket initiative.
  • Best Boating Safety Digital Initiative: The Qualified Captain for its NASBLA-approved online boating safety course.
  • Best Boating Safety Product or Technology Innovation: Garmin for its OnBoard wireless man overboard detection and engine cutoff system.
  • Best Boating Safety Partnership/Collaborative Initiative: Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlecraft Safety Division and Cross Currents Leadership for the 2026 Spring Auxiliary Training.
  • Best Marine Dealer Boating Safety Effort: Causeway Marine for its Become a Better Boater campaign.
  • Best Integrated Boating Safety Campaign: ACR Electronics for its campaign educating boaters about electronic visual distress signaling devices.
  • Best Individual Boating Safety Advocate: John Sewell, director of safety, Freedom Boat Club.

Among this year’s category winners, SUNY Maritime College was selected to receive the Boating Safety Excellence Award, the Sea Tow Foundation’s highest recognition.

Click here for more information about the National Boating Safety Awards and this year’s winners.