Congratulations to the 2025 IBWSS Communication Award recipients!
The IBWSS Communication Awards recognize the creative ways boating and water safety advocates are communicating with the public about safety on and in the water. Browse the 2025 recipients to get inspired for your next boating and water safety outreach effort.
Recognizes efforts with an impact on a targeted community.
In 2022, CPW volunteer, Rafael Jimenez, had the idea to turn questions from the Boating Safely in Colorado manual into an engaging trivia wheel for the Denver Boat Show. He then expanded this idea with the intention to bring this education and outreach directly to the boating population at Lake Pueblo State Park (LPSP) by creating the Boat Safety Ambassador Team.
With over 230 volunteer hours recorded, this team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to educate the public on life jacket compliance and boating safety laws. With interactive activities, safety demonstrations, and community engagement, their efforts have contributed to a significant decrease in water-related fatalities at Lake Pueblo State Park – from seven in 2022 to just one in 2023. Their commitment extends beyond in-person interactions, as they have also reached audiences through news segments and social media. The Boat Safety Ambassador Team exemplifies the impact of education and outreach in saving lives on the water. cpw.state.co.us
Recognizes efforts on social media, blogs, or other digital outreach.
BoatBot is revolutionizing boating safety education by bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. This AI-powered mobile tool offers boaters – whether new or experienced – instant, on-demand access to critical safety information, reinforcing key concepts taught in USCG Auxiliary courses.
By providing an independent, user-friendly resource, BoatBot extends learning beyond the classroom, enhances retention, and empowers safer decision-making on the water. Its integration into USCG Auxiliary safety courses and its commitment to community engagement make it a standout in digital education. We applaud BoatBot for its technological innovation and its vital role in promoting boating safety. boatbot.ai
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In just one year, this groundbreaking platform revolutionized boating safety outreach, amassing millions of views across social media and engaging a global audience with free, high-quality educational content.
Through an unparalleled commitment to accessibility and innovation, How To Boating shares up to 10 videos daily across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and its website, ensuring that vital boating safety information reaches people where they are.
With a mission to modernize boating safety and expand its reach worldwide, How To Boating is setting a new standard in digital education. howtoboating.com
We are proud to honor the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) for its outstanding commitment to boating safety through digital innovation. Despite being the driest state, Nevada’s lakes and reservoirs draw hundreds of thousands of boaters each year, making boating safety education a top priority.
Through a statewide multimedia campaign, NDOW effectively delivered three crucial messages: Wear a Life Jacket, Don’t Drink and Boat, and Take a Boating Education Course. Utilizing digital media, OTT streaming, geofencing, social media, broadcast TV, and radio, NDOW reached millions of boaters where they engage most.
The campaign’s 2.5 million safe boating PSAs, including 460,000+ streaming commercials and 241,000+ geofenced safety messages, contributed to a decrease in boating fatalities and increased participation in boating education courses in 2024—a true testament to its impact.
By strategically leveraging digital outreach to promote life-saving boating practices, NDOW has set a gold standard in public safety education. We proudly recognize their dedication and success in fostering a safer boating culture across Nevada’s waterways. ndow.org
Recognizes a giveway item used effectively in community outreach.
We proudly recognize the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Police Department for their long-standing commitment to promoting life jacket use through their “I Got Caught Wearing My Life Jacket” T-Shirt Giveaway.
Since the early 2000s, GRDA officers have reinforced the importance of wearing proper life jackets by handing out nearly 3,000 custom-designed T-shirts each summer to boaters and floaters on Oklahoma’s scenic waterways. With messages like “Boat Safe, Boat Sober, Boat Certified” and “Float Safe, Float Smart, Float Sober,” these shirts serve as a fun and effective reward for responsible behavior on the water. grda.com
Recognizes a printed marketing collateral piece.
The Sea Tow Foundation (STF) was recognized for its outstanding Letter to the Editor (LTE) campaign, which brought critical boating safety messages directly to communities across the country.
By leveraging real incidents from the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Accident Database (BAD) Reports, the Sea Tow Foundation delivered timely, regionally relevant safety guidance on life jacket use, Boating Under the Influence (BUI) prevention, and weather preparedness. In 2024, STF successfully placed 11 out of 14 LTEs in major publications – including the Denver Post, Detroit Free Press, and the Tallahassee Democrat – reaching over 12.5 million readers with life-saving information.
By tying safety messages to real-life incidents, STF not only educated the public, but also encouraged immediate action to prevent future tragedies. boatingsafety.com
Recognizes powerful public service announcements sharing boating and water safety messages.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was recognized with the IBWSS PSA Communications Award for its “Safety is Always in Season” campaign. This initiative set a new standard for public service messaging, using a strategic, multimedia approach to promote life-saving boating safety behaviors.
By delivering targeted PSAs in bars, restaurants, gas stations, and digital platforms – where boaters naturally gather – Minnesota DNR ensured that safety reminders were seen at the “point of decision”.
These impactful messages, available in multiple languages, addressed key topics such as life jacket use, the importance of engine cut-off device use, and the dangers of boating under the influence.
The campaign’s effectiveness achieved millions of impressions and contributing to Minnesota’s lowest boating fatality rates in recorded history for two consecutive years. dnr.state.mn.us
Recognizes public relations efforts to advance boating and water safety.
The Alaska Office of Boating Safety is honored with the IBWSS Public Relations Award for its leadership in organizing the Alaska Boating Safety Educators’ Symposium – an event which brought together state, federal, tribal, and private sector partners to collaborate on improving boating safety across Alaska’s vast and unique waterways.
Through data analysis, shared successes, and strategic planning, the event fostered deeper cooperation among agencies and organizations committed to protecting Alaskan boaters. We commend the Alaska Office of Boating Safety for its approach to outreach, collaboration, and education, setting a high standard for public relations in the boating safety community. dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating
