Please select your home edition
Edition
Exposure Marine

Sea Tow Foundation honors Sea Tow Smith Mountain Lake with Hero Award for Outstanding Boating Safety

by Sea Tow Foundation 30 Nov 2023 12:28 PST

In recognition of their ongoing commitment to promoting responsible boating practices, the Sea Tow Foundation is proud to name Sea Tow Smith Mountain Lake as the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Hero Award.

The Sea Tow Foundation Hero Award celebrates exceptional dedication to fostering boating safety and is presented to a deserving Sea Tow franchise each year at the Sea Tow Services International Annual Meeting.

"With their continuous dedication and expanded efforts, Sea Tow Smith Mountain Lake embodies the spirit of the Sea Tow Foundation Hero Award," said Kim Perry, Program Coordinator for the Sea Tow Foundation. "Their continuous advocacy and proactive initiatives set a remarkable standard for our entire industry, and we are honored to present them with this award for a second time."

Sea Tow Smith Mountain Lake made history as the inaugural recipient in 2014. Co-owners and Capts Rick and Nancy Ellett earned the distinction of being the first franchisee to receive this honor for a second time. Located in Virginia, Sea Tow Smith Mountain Lake demonstrated exemplary commitment to boating safety this past year by leveraging various initiatives within their Area of Responsibility (AOR). Their remarkable achievements include:

  • Effective use of Sober Skipper signage and promotion through events, like handing out non-alcoholic root beer to boaters during the 4th of July weekend every year.
  • Hosting 8 life jacket loaner stations as part of the Life Jacket Loaner Program.
  • Encouraging participation in the Sea Tow Foundation Life Jacket Challenge at local events.
  • Extensive community engagement that included covering safety topics in local newspapers and on social media.
  • Providing life jackets to Virginia Military Institute cadets during their field training at the lake and keeping under-served kids safer in life jackets during the Reel Connections fishing event.
  • Continuous representation of the Sea Tow Foundation's mission at events and boat shows.
"We put a lot of work into promoting these programs, and are honored to receive this award. We feel the importance of wearing life jackets cannot be stressed enough - if we can save one life by promoting life jacket wearing and providing loaner life jackets at our boat ramps, then our efforts have been worthwhile," said Capts. Rick and Nancy Ellett of Sea Tow Smith Mountain Lake. "While we thank our captains for helping us promote water safety, the real hero is the Sea Tow Foundation. They work tirelessly to obtain grants and provide us with the tools we need to make boating safety fun and easy."

The Hero Award was presented at the Sea Tow Annual Meeting in Jupiter, FL, on November 15th, coinciding with the 40th anniversary celebration for Sea Tow Services International.

Related Articles

Kieler Woche Day 3
A Tough Test for Athletes and Equipment Fresh to strong south-westerly winds with stormy squalls pushed participants to their limits on Monday at Kieler Woche. Posted on 23 Jun
iQFOiL International Games at Kiel day 3
Full power foiling shakes up leaderboard The third day of racing at the iQFOiL International Games in Kiel delivered exactly what the fleet had been waiting for: wind, power, and pure adrenaline. Posted on 23 Jun
Tschüss 2 powers ahead in Transatlantic Race
Her nearest rival, some 300 miles astern, is Oliver Kobale's VO65 Sisi Six days into the West-East Transatlantic Race, Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 Tschüss 2, co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has raced over 2,000 miles and is the clear leader for both Monohull Line Honours and the overall IRC win. Posted on 23 Jun
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais preview
Eleven teams hoping the Portuguese venue lives up to its reputation Given that it is a long time since the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet raced in big winds and waves, a breezy final few training days before the start of next week's Rolex TP52 World Championship in Cascais would be universally welcomed by the 11 teams. Posted on 23 Jun
Multiple 2025 Melges 24 ranking circuits heat up
Collectively more than 100 team entries have hit the starting line in pursuit of glory With summer in full swing, the 2025 Melges 24 racing season has hit its stride across North America, and the momentum is building. Posted on 23 Jun
Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week overall
Class Leaders Win Big at 20th Edition There were few surprises on the final day of racing at Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week as class leaders who took control on Day 1 skillfully navigated the unusual-for-Long Beach conditions to prevail in their respective classes. Posted on 23 Jun
Challenging winds for Edgartown Race Weekend
Rick Egan's Corbeau wins Venona Trophy, Chip Hawkins' Caneel collects three trophies It looked as if the M32 multihull Yonder, sailing in 'Round-the-Island race at Edgartown Race Weekend, might set a record, but a large wind hole near the finish of the 55-mile circumnavigation of Martha's Vineyard put a decisive end to that possibility. Posted on 23 Jun
SailGP opens tender process for two new teams
SailGP has confirmed 2026 expansion plans, unveiling details of a tender process to seek investment. SailGP has confirmed 2026 expansion plans, unveiling details of a tender process to seek investment for ownership of two new teams entering the global racing championship next season, alongside available stakes across existing national teams. Posted on 23 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
National Women's Invitational Team Race overall
California team seals the deal in must-win final race Newport Harbor Yacht Club won the 5th edition of the National Women's Invitational Team Race for the Thayer Trophy in dramatic fashion. Posted on 23 Jun
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERArmstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - BOTTOMSwitch One Design