ETBC's Life Jacket Loaner Initiative

Here in NE Tennessee, we are very fortunate to have beautiful lakes to enjoy with friends and family. Unfortunately, you often hear about the tragic loss of life on our Tennessee lakes. As TWRA officials emphasize, most fatal boating accidents are preventable by wearing a life jacket and boating sober. 

In our efforts to support safe boating,  the East Tennessee Boating Club has established a Life Jacket Loaner Initiative at various marinas on Boone Lake.  We hope to expand the program to other area lakes.

In 2023,  ETBC installed a Life Jacket Loaner Stand at Lakeview Marina and the response has been very positive. TWRA requires all boats to have a life jacket on board for every individual on your boat. Sometimes boat owners will invite guests on their boats only to realize they do not have enough life jackets. It is also important that children have a life jacket that fits them properly. An adult life jacket on a child can easily slip off in the water. 

ETBC’s Life Jacket Loaner Program allows boaters to borrow the life jackets they need right at the marina at no cost. The Stands are focused on having a good supply of children’s life jackets so that boat captains can make sure children have a life jacket that fits them correctly. They use these loaners for the day and bring them back to the Stands for other boaters to use. 

Currently there are Stands at Lakeview Marina, Rockingham Marina and Sonny's Marina.  We hope that if you get to the lake at one of these  marinas and realize you need more life jackets, especially children's life jackets, you take advantage of our Stands to help you have a safe boating experience. 

If you have life jackets hanging around that you no longer use, especially children's life jackets, and you would like to donate them to our initiative, please contact our Education/Safety Director listed  here. 

East Tennessee Boating Club, formed in 2023 as an off-shoot of the Johnson City Power Squadron, is focused on helping our community through boating, supporting safe, responsible boating and having fun on our area lakes. It currently has over 100 mostly experienced boating members.