CLEARWATER, FL (June 1, 2026) – The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) announced the 2026 recipients of the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) Communication Awards virtually on May 8, 2026. IBWSS is a global event dedicated to education, training, awareness, and networking for the advancement of boating and water safety.
“The 2026 IBWSS Communication Award winners represent the power of collaboration, education, and outreach in advancing boating and water safety,” said Captain Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “We are proud to recognize their outstanding efforts and dedication to saving lives.”
Award recipients were recognized in the following categories: Community Impact, Digital, PSAs, and Public Relations. There were no rankings within categories; winners are listed in alphabetical order.
Community Impact
Chapman School of Seamanship: We are honored to present this award to the Chapman School of Seamanship in honor of successfully guiding 220 teen students through the National Safe Boating Council’s Skipper Club program, resulting in each student earning their Florida-specific boating safety certificate. This achievement reflects a strong commitment to advancing boating education and promoting safe, responsible practices on the water.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources: This recognition is presented to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Ohio State Fair, for delivering the Paddling Knowledge Clinic at the Ohio State Fair. Held within the Natural Resources Park, where visitors can engage in hands-on water-based experiences like kayaking and learn about outdoor recreation, the clinic reflects a strong commitment to expanding public access to paddling education and promoting safe, responsible boating practices.
Why Drown Initiative: Congratulations to the Why Drown Initiative for its commitment to saving lives by preventing drowning through accessible water safety education. The initiative offers free swim lessons, water safety instruction, and CPR training to youth in the community, with a focus on individuals 18 and under who may otherwise lack access due to financial barriers. Rooted in a deep commitment to water safety, education, and equitable access for all children and families, the Why Drown Initiative continues to expand its reach through impactful programming and community partnerships.
Digital
BOBCAST for Boaters and Bob’s No Wake Zone: This award is presented to Bob’s No Wake Zone for 12 years of delivering boating safety education through a weekly Saturday morning radio show, producing 625 episodes featuring industry leaders and organizations such as NMMA, NSBC, and NASBLA. In response to audience demand, the program transitioned in late 2025 to a fully digital format with the creation of the BOBCAST, expanding accessibility while continuing to engage listeners with relevant boating safety content.
Choose Life Jackets: We are proud to award Choose Life Jackets for the Save One Life project, an innovative digital safety campaign built around a localized statistic that one in every 71,429 Texans loses their life to drowning annually. The initiative set a targeted mission to engage exactly 71,429 young people, symbolically “saving one life” through education and awareness. Within three months, the project exceeded its primary goals, establishing a high-growth digital footprint and securing institutional partnerships.
Mustang Survival: This recognition is presented to Mustang Survival for its online resources hub, a series of research-based articles designed to help boaters make more informed safety decisions through accessible, expert-led content. Covering topics such as life jacket inspection and maintenance, understanding changes in life jacket regulations, and how to choose a life jacket, this resource reflects a strong commitment to advancing boating safety education.
Public Relations
Sea Tow Foundation: This award is presented to the Sea Tow Foundation for its public relations campaign supporting the “Sober Skipper: Why It Matters” video series, developed to address boating under the influence (BUI), a leading and preventable cause of boating fatalities. The campaign combined a three-part video series featuring trusted voices within the boating community with a coordinated media strategy and influencer amplification to reach high-risk audiences. By generating sustained coverage and conversation throughout the boating season, this effort reflects a strong commitment to advancing awareness and promoting safer behavior on the water.
Water Ways TV: We’re proud to recognize Water Ways TV for making boating safety an integral part of every episode. Through short, engaging safety segments woven into programming across multiple broadcast and digital platforms, Water Ways TV delivers important information in a way that’s accessible and easy to understand, reaching broad audiences across North America. With strong viewership and real-world impact, this work continues to promote safer experiences on the water. Congratulations on this achievement!
Public Service Announcement
American Canoe Association: This recognition is presented to the American Canoe Association for its Wear Your Life Jacket Geofence Campaign, developed to increase life jacket wear rates at five high-volume observation locations identified through annual research. By leveraging mobile, location-based communication technology, the campaign delivered targeted safety messaging to specific audiences while capturing real-time data and identifying trends in engagement. Through customized content and strategic delivery, measurable results were achieved, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing life jacket education and boating safety. Congratulations!
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission: We present this award to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for the “You Can Always Spot a Safe Boater” campaign, which reimagined life jacket messaging through a two-phase approach to capture public attention. The campaign paired a stark, visual message emphasizing the consequences of not wearing a life jacket with a contrasting, humorous phase highlighting consistent life jacket use in everyday settings. This innovative strategy demonstrates a commitment to proactive outreach, thoughtful messaging, and strengthening a culture of safe and responsible boating.
About the National Safe Boating Council
Established in 1958, the National Safe Boating Council is the foremost coalition for the advancement and promotion of safer boating through education, outreach, and training. For more information about NSBC programs and professional development opportunities, visit https://www.safeboatingcouncil.org