The Sea Tow Foundation, in partnership with its Boating Safety Advisory Council, is now accepting applications for the 2026 National Boating Safety Awards, which recognizes outstanding efforts in the recreational marine industry to promote safe and responsible boating.
This year will feature nine new award categories that focus on how boating safety is being promoted rather than the company or individual submitting the entry. Award categories include: Best Boating Safety Education & Training Program; Best Youth Boating Safety Initiative; Best Boating Safety Community Engagement Program; Best Boating Safety Digital Initiative; Best Boating Safety Product or Technology Innovation; Best Boating Safety Partnership/Collaborative Initiative; Best Marine Dealer Boating Safety Effort; Best Integrated Boating Safety Campaign; Best Individual Boating Safety Advocate; and one category winner will receive the Boating Safety Excellence Award, the program’s highest honor.
“The Sea Tow Foundation is incredibly proud to celebrate the creativity, leadership and commitment to safety found throughout the recreational boating industry,” says Gail R. Kulp, executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation. “The nine new categories allow us to recognize the many different ways companies, organizations and individuals are reaching boaters and celebrate the efforts that are helping create more responsible and confident boaters.”
Any for-profit company, trade organization or individual whose work is directed toward the recreational boating community can apply, submitting efforts carried out between January 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026. Applicants can submit multiple entries, and there is no cost to enter. Winners will be publicly announced at IBEX on October 6, 2026.
To learn more, visit boatingsafety.com.
