Boaters can now rent emergency beacons from the Sea Tow Foundation, thanks to an equipment donation by a Florida-based manufacturer.
The two types of emergency beacons — one intended to be worn by a boater and the other designed for mounting on a boat — can be rented from the Sea Tow Foundation through its boatingsafety.com website for $45 to $65 a week.
The GPS-enabled beacons quickly and accurately relay their positions to a worldwide network of search-and-rescue satellites, reducing search time and increasing a distressed boater’s chances of survival, according to manufacturer ACR Electronics. “Its reliable signaling technology has saved more than 28,000 lives since 1982,” ACR says on its website.
ACR has donated eight beacons to the Sea Tow Foundation’s program. The company is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and to mark this milestone has made a commitment to participate in more philanthropic projects, Sea Tow Foundation said in a press release.
“This is such a good fit with our foundation’s focus on safe boating and ACR Electronics has graciously provided the tools to make it happen,” Sea Tow Foundation executive directorMichael Wesolowski said.
“For boaters who are heading offshore, or planning an extended trip or other boating adventure, being able to rent an [emergency beacon] is a great way for them to have peace of mind that should the unexpected happen,” Wesolowski said.
All proceeds earned from the beacon rentals will be reinvested into Sea Tow Foundation’s other lifesaving programs like its Designated Skipper Campaign, Life Jacket Loaner Program, as well as extending the emergency beacon rental program.
