The Sea Tow Foundation has established a lifejacket loaner station in Winthrop, Mass., in honor of longtime franchise co-owner Capt. Steve Winkler, who died last year.
Winkler was affiliated with Sea Tow Boston, which he established with his brother 29 years before he died in July 2021 at the age of 73, Sea Tow Foundation said in a statement yesterday. Funds were donated in his honor, and the lifejacket loaner station was dedicated at his hometown marina, the Cottage Park Yacht Club, on May 26 during National Safe Boating Week.
The foundation stated that the donations were collected “from members of Winkler’s local boating community as well as from friends and colleagues throughout the country as a tribute to his lifelong focus on instilling boating safety and education.”
Winkler also served as president of Duplin Marine for 14 years and was general manager of Community Boating Inc. for nine years.
“This lifejacket loaner station established in his memory will be a lasting legacy for years to come, while extending a wonderful, free service to area boaters,” said Sea Tow Foundation executive director Gail R. Kulp in the statement. “We are especially pleased to time our commemoration during National Safe Boating Week, as Steve was such a champion and advocate for boating safety.”
