The Change We Need In Boating Culture

No child or family should ever have to endure what Matt, Kim, and everyone who loves Brooklyn are now facing. The change we need is simple but powerful:

Boating culture must shift → Just like “don’t drink and drive” became a societal expectation, we need to normalize "boat sober".
Clearer laws and tougher enforcement → Stricter penalties for boating under the influence, consistent enforcement, and closing loopholes improve overall boating safety.
Public awareness → Campaigns like Boat Sober for Brooklyn Mae that make people think twice before mixing alcohol with boating, promoting responsible boating.
Community responsibility → Friends, families, and marinas encouraging and holding each other accountable for having a designated sober captain strengthens boating safety and responsible boating.

take the boat sober pledge

The Statistics: Why We Need to Change

Between 2020 and 2024, alcohol was a contributing factor in 557 boating deaths and 1,275 injuries. In 2024 alone, 112 lives were lost and 234 people were injured because of alcohol on the water.
Alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents. Where the primary cause was identified, alcohol was responsible for 20% of deaths - that's 1 in every 5 lives lost that could have been prevented.

Source: United States Coast Guard, 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics

The Human Cost: Brooklyn Mae's Story

Brooklyn Mae Carroll’s life was tragically cut short due to alcohol-related boating. These numbers aren't just statistics —they represent real families, friends, and communities forever affected by preventable choices.

The change we need is cultural, legal, and personal accountability, so that Brooklyn’s story prevents future tragedies and becomes a lasting legacy of safety and love. Together, we can change the culture of boating and work to ensure no other family endures a loss like Brooklyn’s. Join the Boat Sober movement and take the pledge to boat sober.