BoatUS Lifejacket Loaner Program - kids in lifejackets
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SPRINGFIELD, Va. – February 9, 2026 – The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water received a grant for $375,000 through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The funding will be used to expand BoatUS Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program by piloting up to 150 smart loaner life jacket stations across the nation. The pilot will test multiple station models to assess effectiveness across different community settings.  

“Through this grant, the BoatUS Foundation is piloting new, technology enabled station models that make it easier for families and boaters to access properly fitting life jackets” said Tiffany Gonzalez, Program Manager at BoatUS Foundation. “By increasing access, education, and preparedness we’re helping more boaters stay safe on the water.”  

Founded in 1997, the Life Jacket Loaner Program was created to enable more children to be in properly fitting life jackets on the water. On average, BoatUS Foundation loans 140,000 life jackets each year and has more than 600+ loaner sites currently.  

As part of the grant, The Life Jacket Loaner Program stations in this pilot will test various technological features to improve access to properly fitting child-sized life jackets, track usage, and deliver educational content on proper life jacket wear. Applications to be part of the pilot project will be opening in the coming weeks and loaner stations will be operational by the 2026 boating season.  

“This grant represents an important investment in the safety of our nation’s boaters, said Verne Gifford, Chief, U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division. “We’re excited to see the positive impact this funding will have on communities and waterways across the country.”  

For more information on the Life Jacket Loaner Program, please visit, BoatUS.org/life-jacket-loaner.  

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About BoatUS Foundation:  

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 740,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways, and keeping boating safe for all. A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation's only free online boating safety course – can be found at https://boatus.org.