National Boating Safety Advisory Council USCG, Office of Auxiliary & 86th Meeting Jan 14-16, 2011 Orlando, Florida USCG, Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety (CG-542)

Resolution and Action Item Updates Project & Legislative Updates Program Updates Resolution and Action Item Updates Project & Legislative Updates Challenges

Program Updates

CG-5422 The new Grants Management Branch (CG-54224) was stood up in August 2010 and is functioning well. New staff all on board working along with prior grant specialists. Pavlo Oborski, new Branch Chief.

New Program to Assist Grant Recipients To enhance training and compliance of grant applicants and recipients, visits will be made to their locations. CG-54224 staff to coordinate relative to fiscal matters. Programmatic matters to be coordinated by CG-54222.

New Program for Approval of State RBS Programs To assure state eligibility to receive grant funds. To assure compliance with requirements and provide guidance to states. Four parts: law enforcement, education, numbering, and accident reporting. State visitations about to begin by CG-54222.

2009 Recreational Boating Market Estimates ~82 Million recreational boaters (age 16+) ~12.7 Million state registered boats Millions more unregistered boats (canoes, kayaks, etc. - 4 to 25 million?)

2009 Recreational Boating Market Estimates 2006 Boat Sales 912,130 new boat sales 291,000 traditional powerboats 393,000 kayaks 2009 Boat Sales 572,520 new boat sales 153,550 traditional powerboats 254,000 kayaks

2009 Recreational Boating Accidents Reported CY 2009 Boating Accidents: 4,730 boating accidents 736 deaths (2004: 676 deaths = record low) 3,358 injuries (2008: 3331 injuries = record low) $36 million in property damage

2010 Recreational Boating Accidents Many reports received and awaiting more: Validation of reports happening sooner. Preliminary numbers show the possibility of a decrease in the number of deaths – possibly to around the average over the past 10-12 years. Injuries appear to be about the same or may increase.

Resolution & Action Item Updates

Resolutions No resolutions were adopted at the 85th meeting.

85th Meeting Action Items Strategic Plan work group meeting requested in August - Completed. Requested development of a work group to research components of and draft language for a specific resolution addressing mandatory wear of life jackets … - Completed. Work group still active and will meet at the completion of this NBSAC meeting.

Project & Legislative Updates

Fall 2010 Proceedings Magazine Focus on Boating Safety. Thanks to RADM Cook, as the sponsor of this. Nearly all of the Strategic Plan partners offered articles – showing the great partnership within the program. Great tool to spread the word. Thanks!

National Recreational Boating Safety Program Strategic Plan Implementation going well. 20 Partner Organizations!

RBS Performance Goals Specific targets for numbers of casualties (injuries and deaths) set per year through the year 2011. (Measured on a calendar year, a 5-year average, and a fiscal year basis.)

RBS Performance Goals 2009 Goals CY Actual 5 Yr. Avg. Injuries 3585 3358 3457.4 Deaths 685 736 707.4 Casualties 4270 4094 4164.8

CG Leadership Performance Goals & Objectives Provided to staff last week. Specific to “Ensure Marine Safety” “The Coast Guard must implement initiatives to improve safety and reduce marine casualties that lead to deaths, injuries, damage to the environment, and other adverse consequences.”

Tier One Alternatives For Boating Safety: Life jacket wear (70+% overall) Skill level training Heightened awareness campaigns Basic safety knowledge & certification (“education”)

Tier Two Alternatives For Boating Safety: Operating under the influence Propeller strike casualties

2011 Nonprofit Organization Grant Announcement Areas of emphasis to support priorities. Support Don’t Wreck Your Summer Campaign, On-Water Boat Handling Instruction, course template for On-Water Boat Handling. Safe Boating Campaign, IBWSS, State Partnering, Accident Investigation Seminars, Life Jacket Wear Rate Study, Safety Equipment Check List.

National Boating Survey Contract was awarded in 2009 to cover first 3 surveys – 2010, 2011 & 2013 data. Survey in final stage of receiving approval from OMB. Data collection expected to begin immediately upon OMB approval.

National Boating Survey Basic 2010 data will be collected all at once. Reduced version of survey to gain key demographics and boat ownership. 2011 participation data will be collected monthly, beginning at same time. Cost reduced substantially due to alteration.

Recreational Boating Participation Estimates 2009 52.0 million motorboaters 20.3 million PWC users 7.4 million kayakers 2020 60.4 million motorboaters 21.1 million PWC users 13.5 million kayakers

Life Jacket Wear JSI National Observation Study 2010 JSI Study Completed and Preliminary Results Indicate: Overall rate decreased from 22.3% (2009) to 21.1%. (Historical range of 21.1% to 23.9%) Adults on open motorboats increased from 4.9% (2009) to 5.3%

Life Jacket Wear Study Validation NBSAC recommendation to examine accuracy/validity of land-based observation of life jacket wear: To assure credibility, conducted two on-water validation studies of JSI land-based findings. Scientific credibility of current method appears to be sound.

Life Jacket Wear USACE Project U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard working together on multi-year project to test the effectiveness and impacts of mandatory life jacket wear requirements. Selected sites include northern Mississippi (boats <26’) and SW Pennsylvania (boats <16’).

USACE Life Jacket Mandate Effectiveness Measurement Project Primary test at Northern Mississippi - (4 lakes) - mandated life jacket wear for all people on boats <16’ at all times and for all people on motorboats 16<26’ when underway effective 2009. Baseline data gathered in 2008. Adults on boats other than PWC’s - wear rate of ~13%

USACE Life Jacket Mandate Effectiveness Measurement Project 2009 data indicated an improved wear rate of 71.5%! Preliminary 2010 data expected to indicate wear rate of about 70.5%.

New Life Jacket Mandate Effectiveness Projects USACE adding new site to the test in east central California. Discussing possible test project with the National Park Service in the southwest.

Life Jacket Approval Process Concerns: 1) That current process: a) too slow, b) too costly. 2) Impedes creatively and possible design of new life jacket styles more prone to be worn voluntarily.

Life Jacket Approval Process The Coast Guard is working aggressively with partners at both the national and international level to study issues and resolve them. Detailed update to be provided at April 2011 NBSAC meeting by CG-5214.

Federal Proposal for Mandatory Boat Operator Education Since 2004, NBSAC has twice recommended to the Coast Guard to seek legislative authorization to establish a uniform federal requirement for mandatory education of select boat operators. Proposals have been submitted to Congress for consideration, but no action has been taken by them to date. Continuing this effort.

Propeller Strike Avoidance Current proposals to resolve problem: First regulatory project moving forward is cut-off switch installation and use. NPRM in final review at DHS. Proposed rule for operator to turn engine off will follow. ABYC continuing work to study performance standards for “prop guard” type devices. Other inventions – Australia prop?

17-Character Hull Identification Number Proposal from NBSAC USCG has completed an analysis. Cost data successfully estimated. Benefit data not adequately quantifiable. Thus, the intent is to withdraw this project and consider it completed. Feel that full state participation in VIS is the best option for resolving key issues.

Vessel Identification System (VIS) VIS became operational late September 2007. 32 states and territories have submitted signed MOAs. State participation essential to make VIS effective as a law enforcement and maritime security strategy.

Which States Have Signed Their MOAs for VIS? DC AS GU CM 31 MOAs signed – 6.1M boats 22 MOAs not yet signed PR VI 3 States with barriers to participation As of 9/09/10

Numbering Regulatory Project Numbering regulations, VIS regulations and accident reporting regulations use different terms, categories and definitions. NPRM published to create consistency and resolve problems from the lack of such. Comments received and final rule being prepared.

Accident Reporting System Proposal from NBSAC 15 proposals from NBSAC to consider – submitted in 2009. Regulatory project currently being initiated in CG process – work plan being developed for consideration.

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

CG Authorization Act of 2010 This bill was enacted and has multiple sections that impact recreational vessels and recreational boating safety. Projects already being initiated to comply with the new laws.

CG Authorization Act of 2010 Section 618. Associated Equipment – adds “emergency locator beacons” to the definition. Section 620. Study of Blended Fuels in Marine Application – survey of published data and reports within 180 days and study on the use, safety and performance of blended fuels in marine applications in 36 months.

CG Authorization Act of 2010 Section 621. Renewal of Advisory Committees – NBSAC authorization renewed thru 2020. Americas Waterway Watch – Authorized $3 million per year for the program.

Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund

Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund Long-term authorization expired 9/30/2009 Since then, five temporary extensions have been enacted, the latest provides authorization through 3/4/2011.

SFRBTF Reauthorization Coast Guard and USFWS have developed a legislative change proposal (LCP) for the reauthorization of the Trust Fund. NASBLA, AFWA and 10 other boating/fishing organizations (Angling & Boating Alliance) have developed alternative legislative concepts.

SFRBTF Reauthorization Differences exist between proposals, but primary goal of both is to continue the program. For the first time ever, Administration forwards a legislative proposal to Congress – April 2010. CG and USFWS now preparing a new LCP for the new Congress.

Why should Congress pass this? -No new taxes! -Cooperation between agencies-USFWS, USCG, USDOT. -Congress wants agencies to better measure the success of programs. -Allows funds to be used for survey and other efforts to support the Strategic Plan. -“Off the top” admin parity with USFWS. (NBSAC advised the CG to pursue this.) -Slight increase from status quo to states’ boating safety programs (at a time they really need it). Source: USCG 6-02-10

Challenges

86th Meeting Challenge #1 NATIONAL RBS PROGRAM STRATEGIC PLAN Keep the current strategic plan implementation on track. Finalize development and adoption of 2012-2016 plan now, with desired signing ceremony at IBWSS in March 2011.

86th Meeting Challenge #2 Should the Coast Guard mandate the wear of life jackets by everyone on board a recreational vessel <26’ in length (outside of a cabin)? Continue work group efforts and prepare for NBSAC action. NBSAC recommendation desired by CG at April 2011 meeting.

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