May 28, 2020 – The Sea Tow Foundation has appointed Adam Fortier-Brown, Government Relations Manager of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas as one of seven new marine industry stakeholders to serve a two-year term on its North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council which was established in 2019.
In this capacity, Fortier-Brown joins a combined slate of 19 council members charged to collaborate on and develop a variety of strategies and tactics to promote greater awareness and adoption of boating safety initiatives and messages both within the recreational marine industry and boating consumer space.
“We welcome Adam to our advisory council and appreciate the unique perspective and depth of experience he brings to the council,” said Sea Tow Foundation Executive Director Gail R. Kulp. “We were very impressed by the quality of the nominations and the resulting expanded council representation that embraces new segments of the marine industry.”
“Adam’s experience working closely with boating customers through his family’s dealership, as well as his knowledge and understanding of boating safety laws makes him a great addition to this council,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “We’re thrilled to have MRAA represent the needs and desires that boat dealers have for keeping their customers safe on the water.”
Boating under the influence is the leading known factor contributing to fatal boating accidents, with an average of one boating accident per day due to alcohol use on the water. In 2018, alcohol and drug use accounted for 107 boating related deaths – all of which were preventable.
New inductees were voted in by the North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council with new terms beginning June 1, 2020. In addition to Fortier-Brown, new appointees are listed below in alphabetical order:
· TK Krumenacker, CEO, Admirals Insurance Corp
· Tyler Mehrl, Category Manager/Steering and Controls, Mercury Marine
· Mark Pillsbury, Editor, Cruising World Magazine
· Angie Scott, Podcast Host, The Woman Angler & Adventurer
· Eric Shepard, Retired (30 years in the marine and aviation safety industry)
· Leslie Zlotnick, Advertising Manager, Yamaha Watercraft Group
About the Sea Tow Foundation North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council
Launched in 2019, the North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council now includes 19 members representing multiple sectors of the recreational boating industry along with an executive task force. In its first year, the council organized and debuted its first National Boating Industry Safety Awards to recognize the outstanding work of recreational boating organizations in promoting boating safety. The council is actively engaged in supporting a variety of safe boating initiatives including the Sober Skipper Program which encourages boaters to be or to designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock. The ultimate goal of the Sober Skipper Program is to eliminate the number of boating accidents and deaths related to Boating Under the Influence on North American waterways.
For more information about the North American Sober Skipper Advisory Council, please visit: www.boatingsafety.com/nassac
To learn more about the Sea Tow Foundation’s Sober Skipper Program, please visit soberskipper.com.
About Sea Tow Foundation
With a focus on safe boating practices that result in fun on the water, the Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – was established in 2007 by Sea Tow Founder Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer. After his passing in 2015, Captain Joe’s legacy continues as the Foundation brings attention to the number of preventable boating-related accidents, injuries, and deaths, and directly addresses prevention methods through education and awareness. More than 650 life jacket loaner stations are now available across the United States and the Foundation’s Sober Skipper Program continues to grow. For more information on the Sea Tow Foundation, please visit BoatingSafety.com.
