SOUTHOLD, N.Y., May 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sea Tow International, the leading provider of non-emergency on-water assistance, announced at a press conference today that the Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station program, in existence nationwide since 2007, will kick off National Safe Boating Week (May 18-24), with a generous $20,000 donation by Clare Rose, Inc., of Yaphank, N.Y., one of the nation's largest beverage distributors, and Anheuser-Busch, of St. Louis. Their donation will enable the Sea Tow Foundation to further support the Life Jacket Loaner Station Program, making adult-sized life jackets available island-wide at Long Island Sea Tow locations, marinas, boat ramps, local police and fire stations, yacht clubs, etc. Boaters may borrow life jackets to replace missing or damaged personal flotation devices (PFDs), or use for extra guests on board their boats.
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"We are honored to be aligned with Clare Rose, a like-minded, local family-run business, and with Anheuser-Busch, which has been the industry leader in promoting alcohol responsibility on and off the water for the past 30 years," said Sea Tow International founder and CEO, Captain Joe Frohnhoefer. "In addition to encouraging boaters to wear life jackets, we ask all boaters to Take the Pledge to Boat Responsibly and to Designate a Sober Skipper. We want to do what we can to help reduce preventable accidents and have a safer 2013 season."
This donation is especially meaningful as Sea Tow International is celebrating its 30th anniversary throughout 2013. Safety has always been Sea Tow's number one priority. Sea Tow offers innovative, free boating safety and information services to the public, including the Sea Tow app for smartphones, and Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check Service, in addition to the nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station Program. The on-water assistance fleet of choice for boaters since Sept. 3, 1983, Sea Tow International was founded due to the U.S. Coast Guard's privatization of non-emergency calls, creating a new industry. This privatization was mandated and put into effect by Public Law 97-322. Sea Tow International, which began, and is still headquartered, in Southold, N.Y., has grown into a thriving network of nearly 100 franchise locations across the United States, with additional operations in Europe and the Caribbean. This network consists of a dedicated team of more than 700 Captains, plus crew and support staff that stand by 24/7, to serve Sea Tow members and other boaters should they ever need help on the water.
"We at Clare Rose pride ourselves with not just being a local business – but by being an integral part of our Long Island community," said Sean Rose, President and CEO of Clare Rose. "When Sea Tow International came to us, we realized the similarities in our company cultures both of which are founded on strong family roots and continued community involvement. We just knew we had to support them and the Sea Tow Foundation. The potential impact of the Life Jacket Loaner Station Program on Long Island is substantial – and we are a company of avid recreational boaters."
"Boating safety and responsibility are important to Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers," said Carol Huebner, Region Director for Corporate Social Responsibility in the Northeast, Anheuser-Busch. "We are proud to support Sea Tow International and its Life Jacket Loaner Station Program, which has already impacted the lives of more than 15,000 people. By wearing life jackets and designating a skipper, we can all help ensure even more boaters and passengers enjoy their time on the water safely."
For more information please visit: www.seatow.com and www.boatingsafety.com.
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About Sea Tow International
Sea Tow Services International Inc. is the nation's leading on-water assistance provider. Established in 1983 by Founder and CEO Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow now serves members in more than 100 locations throughout the United States, Europe, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. For a full list of membership benefits and how to become a Sea Tow member or to inquire about becoming a Sea Tow franchise owner, please visit www.seatow.com.
In addition to providing peace of mind on the water 24/7 to Sea Tow members and other boaters, Sea Tow offers innovative, free boating safety and information services to the public, including the Sea Tow app for smartphones, Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check Service, and the nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station program. For more information, please visit www.seatow.com and www.boatingsafety.com.
About Clare Rose
What began as a small soda distribution business in eastern Suffolk County, N.Y., by Clare and Millie Rose, has evolved into Long Island's premier supplier of Anheuser-Busch InBev and Heineken USA. Today, Clare Rose Inc. is headed by the 3rd generation of the family, Sean Rose. Currently, Clare Rose Inc. has over 25 suppliers and distributes to both of Nassau and Suffolk counties. 75 Years later Clare Rose Inc. is still a pioneer within the industry. With substantial efforts and investment into recycling and green initiative technologies, Clare Rose Inc has solidified its position as one of the greenest beverage distributor in the United States.
About Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch and its employees build on a legacy of corporate social responsibility by focusing on three key areas: promoting alcohol responsibility, preserving and protecting the environment and supporting local communities. In the past three decades, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers have committed more than $980 million in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to encourage responsible drinking and prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. Anheuser-Busch reduced total water use at its breweries by 40 percent in the last five years and the company has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. Since 1997, Anheuser-Busch and its Foundation have invested in local communities through donations of nearly $515 million to charitable organizations. The company also has provided more than 72 million cans of drinking water to people impacted by natural and other disasters since 1988. Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch, the leading American brewer, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com
