Venice, Fla., November 3, 2026: Freedom Boat Club, the world’s largest boat club and a Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) business, has been recognized for its commitment to boating safety, with Director of Safety John Sewell named Best Individual Boating Safety Advocate at the Sea Tow Foundation’s 2026 National Boating Safety Awards. BoatClass, powered by Freedom Boat Club, was also named Best Boating Safety Education & Training Program.
This dual recognition highlights Freedom Boat Club's continued investment in boating safety through operational improvements, hands-on education, and ongoing training designed to help boaters and captains navigate the water with confidence and knowledge.
“John has had a tremendous impact on Freedom Boat Club by professionalizing our approach to safety and building greater rigor and consistency into how we operate,” said Cecil Cohn, President of Freedom Boat Club. “Safety has always been at the forefront of Freedom Boat Club, but John has helped us move beyond individual safety initiatives to create a more systematic, data-informed safety program that reaches across our network. The results of his leadership are making our Club stronger and, most importantly, helping us create a safer experience for our members, employees and everyone who gets out on the water with us.”
BoatClass, Freedom Boat Club’s public boating education and training program, adapts the club’s New Member Orientation into a standalone offering available to non-members at a set price. The program was recognized for its hands-on approach to helping boaters learn practical skills, build confidence at the helm, and establish safe boating habits. Through on-the-water instruction and practical learning experiences, BoatClass helps boaters strengthen their skills and reinforce the importance of responsible boating.
Over the past three years, Sewell has helped strengthen Freedom Boat Club’s approach to safety by building a data-strong culture that turns frontline insights into improvements across operations and training. By using real feedback to identify opportunities for improvement, his work has helped inform safety protocols, staff training, and the company’s boating education curriculum. Following the rollout of programs like the Boarding and Exiting Education Program (BEEP) and the Safety Champion network, Freedom Boat Club saw a 41% year-over-year reduction in boarding and exiting injuries.
“Everyone who walks onto our docks has someone waiting for them at the end of the day,” said Sewell. “That’s what makes safety personal, and it’s why we look out for each other. We deeply value safety at Freedom Boat Club, we learn from every incident and put those lessons to work, so every day on the water ends the way it should.”
Both of the awards recognize the people and programs working to make boating safer. From incorporating knowledge into operational practices to providing boaters with hands-on education, Freedom Boat Club continues to prioritize safety as a core part of the boating experience.
