Donate Lifejackets And Save Lives This Boating Season

If you're into water recreation here in the Treasure State, there's a good chance that you've accumulated a few lifejackets over the years.

If this sounds like you, the million-dollar question is what do you do with those extra lifejackets laying around taking up room?

Well, now is your chance to unload them and help out with a good cause.

Lifejacket Donations

To help celebrate National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 17th through the 23rd, the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department is hosting a life jacket donation Drive.

If you have a gently used lifejacket lying around, you can donate it from May 19th through the 23rd to Montana FWP.

Staff will clean and inspect the jackets, which will then be used to restock lifejacket loaner stations in communities across Montana.

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FWP will accept all wearable life jackets that meet these requirements.

• Free from rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coating

• Buckles, straps, webbing, and zippers in clean, good working condition

• USCG label and certification number clearly visible and readable

• Buoyant material in good condition

• Not accepting inflatable lifejackets at this time

No personal information is required for donation.

Montana Lifejacket Loaner Program

The Montana lifejacket loaner stations are scattered throughout the state at water recreation locations.

These stations are an excellent resource for folks who either forgot a lifejacket or don't have one.

These lifejacket loaner stations need to be restocked every year after jackets are lost, stolen, or damaged during regular use.

Loaner stations are built, stocked, funded, and maintained by County Search and Rescue, Boy Scouts, local recreation groups such as Walleye’s Unlimited, BLM, FWP, county health departments, YMCA, and others.

Lifejacket Donation Locations

• FWP Region 2, Missoula Office: 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula 406-542-5500

• FWP Region 3, Bozeman Office: 1400 S. 19th Avenue, Bozeman 406-577-7900

• Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park lower visitor center: 25 Lewis and Clark Caverns Road, Whitehall 406-287-3541

• MT WILD: 2668 Broadwater Ave, Helena 406-444-9944

• FWP Region 4, Great Falls Office: 4600 Giant Springs Road 406-454-5840

• FWP Region 5, Billings Office: 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings 406-247-2940

• Cooney State Park Office: 86 Lake Shore Road, Roberts, MT 59070. 406-445-2326

Montana Lifejacket Laws & Info

Lifejackets are required for each person aboard a watercraft, including paddle craft such as paddleboards and kayaks, and must be worn by children under the age of 12 while aboard.

Around 85 percent of drowning victims are not wearing a lifejacket at the time of water entry.

Lifejackets keep you safe by supporting your body and your head above water.