What Sea Tow Foundation does

Sea Tow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in New York in 2007 and headquartered in Southold, New York, founded by Captain Joe Frohnhoefer III to eliminate preventable recreational boating accidents and deaths. The foundation operates four flagship programs: the Life Jacket Loaner Program (over 106,000 life jackets distributed since 2008 across 1,300+ stations in all 50 states and 6 territories, with a record 9,990 awarded to 224 communities in 2026), the Sober Skipper Campaign (a Boating Under the Influence prevention initiative with 1,423,000+ pledges and the "Sober Skipper: Why It Matters" video series reaching approximately 165 million views), the Flare Education Program (USCG visual distress signal education including electronic flare alternatives), and the National Boating Safety Awards (recognizing for-profit boating companies since 2019). The foundation is funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorship from marine industry players (Garmin, Yamaha Marine, Freedom Boat Club, Pursuit Boats), and federal grant funding via the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The organization operates with 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Gail R. Kulp, governed by a Board of Directors and advised by a Boating Safety Advisory Council with industry representation. The board includes Kristen Frohnhoefer as President, Patrizia Zanaboni as Treasurer, and members from Citibank (Robert Cangemi), Yamaha Marine (Leslie Zlotnick), and Sea Tow franchise operations. Distribution occurs through the physical loaner station network, an online store at boatingsafety.com, downloadable educational toolkits, community volunteers in over 600 communities, and partnerships with GTM allies including iLearntoBoat.com, ACR Electronics, and Sirius Signal.

Technically, the foundation does not develop proprietary technology products as part of its core mission. Its one notable technical initiative is a predictive modeling system developed in partnership with Mission Disrupt (announced 2026-02-18), which earned the Best Use of AI recognition at the 2026 Neptune Awards and supported the "Membership MATTERS" initiative that drove +50% membership sales via social platforms. The foundation holds a registered trademark for "Sober Skipper" and operates under brand identity licensed from Sea Tow Services International, Inc., a separate for-profit entity. All donations are tax-deductible.

Name

Sea Tow Foundation

Legal name

Sea Tow Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://boatingsafety.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sea Tow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers boating safety education and resources, including the nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program (1,300+ stations, 106,000+ jackets distributed) and the Sober Skipper anti-BUI campaign, serving recreational boaters across all 50 U.S. states and territories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Southold

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the foundation's boating safety mission.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship funding from companies in the marine industry.
3. Grant Funding: Funding from private foundations, state and regional governmental entities, and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
4. Program Sponsorship: Sponsors support specific programs and activities including life jacket loaner stations, education outreach events, and contests.
5. Online Store Sales: Sale of boating safety materials, loaner stand building kits, and merchandise. Most materials are free with shipping costs.
6. Life Jacket Sponsorship: Companies can sponsor custom life jackets with their logo printed on them for use at loaner stations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sea Tow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides boating safety education, tools, and resources to recreational boaters through programs such as the Life Jacket Loaner Program, Sober Skipper Campaign, Flare Education Program, and National Boating Safety Awards. It also operates an online store offering branded merchandise, including engine cut-off wristbands, and downloadable safety materials, with the goal of eliminating preventable recreational boating accidents and deaths.

Product overview

Sea Tow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2007 that provides boating safety education, tools, and resources. The foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on preventing recreational boating accidents and deaths. Core offerings include the Life Jacket Loaner Program (distributing over 106,000 life jackets across 1,300+ stations nationwide), the Sober Skipper Campaign (addressing BUI prevention through pledge programs and video content), Flare Education Program (educating on visual distress signals), and National Boating Safety Awards (recognizing industry leaders). Additional products include an Online Store for materials and merchandise, Life Jacket Drive Program for community donations, and National Safe Boating Week initiatives. The foundation's programs work together to eliminate preventable accidents through education, access to safety equipment, and industry recognition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sober Skipper Campaign: National effort to eliminate boating under the influence accidents by encouraging boaters to be or designate a sober skipper.
• Life Jacket Loaner Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 165 million views generated by Sober Skipper campaign
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, notable and core.

• OnWrd & UpWrd Marketing and CommunicationsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Developed and executed the award-winning 'Sober Skipper: Why It Matters' video series campaign that generated 165 million views. The campaign used strategic planning, influencer recruitment, and multi-channel amplification.
• Mission DisruptnotableTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026Partnered with Mission Disrupt to develop an AI-powered predictive modeling system that won Best Use of AI at the 2026 Neptune Awards.
• ThrowRaftcoreOthersLife jacket supplier for the Life Jacket Loaner Program. Life jackets in sizes from infant to adult XL were purchased from ThrowRaft for distribution to communities nationwide in 2026.
• iLearntoBoat.comnotableGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline boating safety course provider that offers a donation to Sea Tow Foundation for every boater who completes a course through their referral link.
• ACR ElectronicsnotableGTM or Marketing PartnerACR Electronics offers Sea Tow members a 10% discount through the Sea Tow Savings Club. Also featured in flare education content.
• Sirius SignalnotableGTM or Marketing PartnerSirius Signal offers Sea Tow members a 10% discount through the Sea Tow Savings Club. Provider of USCG-approved e-flares.
• Yamaha Marine (WaterCraft Group)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeslie Zlotnick, Marketing Division Manager for Yamaha WaterCraft Group, serves on the Sea Tow Foundation Executive Board representing the marine manufacturing perspective.
• Brian and Nathan Keese Water Safety GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Craig Keese following the drowning death of his son Brian and grandson Nathan. Since 2019, has worked with Sea Tow Foundation to add and restock life jacket loaner stations across multiple states.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Water Safety Foundation: The National Water Safety Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on drowning prevention and water safety education across the U.S. Its mission and audience (recreational water users) overlap with Sea Tow Foundation's drowning-prevention focus, making it a thematic peer.
• National Safe Boating Council: The National Safe Boating Council is a national nonprofit that coordinates the Wear It! life jacket campaign and National Safe Boating Week — directly overlapping with Sea Tow Foundation's flagship awareness initiatives and target audience of recreational boaters.
• BoatUS Foundation: BoatUS Foundation is the nonprofit arm of Boat Owners Association of The United States, also focused on recreational boating safety education, life jacket loaner programs, and Safe Boating Week initiatives. It is the closest direct peer in mission, audience, and program structure to Sea Tow Foundation.
• NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators): NASBLA is a national association advancing boating safety through education, training, and policy. It serves as both a peer organization and a former employer of Sea Tow Foundation's Executive Director Gail R. Kulp, with overlapping focus on boating safety standards.

Emerging players

• American Canoe Association: The American Canoe Association is a nonprofit focused on paddle sports safety, instruction, and conservation. While Sea Tow Foundation primarily targets motorized boaters, ACA represents the adjacent paddle-sports safety education space that the foundation could expand into.
• Safe Kids Worldwide: Safe Kids Worldwide is a global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injuries, including water-related injuries. Its water safety programming addresses child drowning — a population that overlaps with Sea Tow Foundation's life jacket loaner program audience.

Others

• YMCA of the USA (Water Safety Programs): YMCA operates the largest community-based swim and water safety program in the U.S. The Sea Tow Foundation's Executive Director Gail R. Kulp previously worked at a local YMCA, and there is thematic and personnel overlap in the water safety education space.
• National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA): NMMA is the leading marine industry trade association representing boat, engine, and accessory manufacturers. It is a National Boating Safety Award recipient and partner organization with overlapping interest in promoting recreational boating safety.
• Sea Tow Services International: Sea Tow Services International is the for-profit franchise marine assistance company founded by Captain Joe Frohnhoefer, who also founded the Sea Tow Foundation. It is a structural partner through brand licensing and board representation, though it operates a different business model (on-water assistance vs. safety education).

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety: The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety administers the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund that is Sea Tow Foundation's primary federal funder. It is the federal authority on recreational boating safety and a direct stakeholder in the foundation's programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SeaTowFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/seatowfoundation
• Xx.com/SeaTowFdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seatowfoundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sea Tow Foundation