1. National Boating Safety Advisory Council
Report On
Boater Safety Education:
Progress in the United States

2. National Boating Safety Advisory Council
Update Report On
Mandatory Education
&
On-the-Water/ Hands-On Education

3. States Requiring Motorboat Operator Proof of EducationDC AS GU
NMI
PWCs Only (Certain Ages or Rentals Only) - 6
48 of 56 states and territories require some sort of education.
PWCs Only (Certain Ages or Rentals Only) – 6 States
Born-on or after date – 17 States
Certain Ages Only (Usually preteens, teens &/or young adults only) – 17 States
Short-Term Phase-In (requires participation by all boaters) – 8 States
Born-on or after date - 17
Certain Ages Only (Usually preteens, teens &/or young adults only) - 17 PR
Short-Term Phase-In (requires participation by all boaters) - 8 VI
No Education Requirements - 8
Note that each state has unique requirements that may impact different age operators.
As of January 21, 2009

4. Boating Safety Instruction Total Reported NASBLA-approved Certificates Issued FY ‘06 - FY ‘08
These are only the number that passed the course & received certificates: (actual # of certificates in parentheses)
For ,353 total certificates were issued. 323,871 were issued by states – (Classroom, Homestudy, & Internet). USCGAUX & USPS issued 69,482.
For 2007 – 457,518 total certificates were issued. 396,083 were issued by states – (Classroom, Homestudy, & Internet). USCGAUX & USPS issued 61,435.
For 2008 – 450,799 total certificates were issued. 394,195 were issued by states – (Classroom, Homestudy, & Internet). USCGAUX & USPS issued 56,604.
2006
USCGAUX: 45,353 (17.7% of total Classroom certificates)
USPS: 24,129 (9.4% of total Classroom certificates)
Combined: 69,482 (27.1% of total Classroom certificates)
2007
USCGAUX: 40,482 (13.4% of total Classroom certificates)
USPS: 20,953 (6.9% of total Classroom certificates)
Combined: 61,435 (20.4% of total Classroom certificates)
2008
USCGAUX: 35,604 (12.7% of total Classroom certificates)
USPS: 21,000 (7.5% of total Classroom certificates)
Combined: 56,604 (20.2% of total Classroom certificates)
2006
USCGAUX: 45,353
USPS: 24,129
2007
USCGAUX: 40,482
USPS: 20,953
2008
USCGAUX: 35,604
USPS: ~21,000

5. Percent of RBS Budget Spent on All Boating Safety Education Programs RBS Dollars (millions), All States, FY ‘06 - FY ‘08 9% 8%
For The $344.6 million is the total amount spent by all states on all boating safety programs, not just education.
Of the $344.6 million, roughly 7+% ($24.5 million) was spent on education.
For The $384 million is the total amount spent by all states on all boating safety programs, not just education.
Of the $384 million, roughly 8% ($30.2 million) was spent on education.
For The $404.5 million is the total amount spent by all states on all boating safety programs, not just education.
Of the $404.5 million, roughly 9% ($35.8 million) was spent on education. 7%

6. All Boating Safety Education Programs RBS Dollars (millions), Projected vs. Spent, FY ‘06 - FY ‘08
For all states & for all of their boating education programs:
The 1st column represents the projected cumulative $$ amount they anticipated spending on education.
The 2nd column represents the actual cumulative $$ amount they actually spent on education.
The percent difference between the 2 amounts is from how well they did on projections vs actual amounts. 1st bar is the projected amount and the 2nd bar is the actual amount.
28.7%
33.9%
35.1%

7. Percent of RBS Budget Spent on All Boating Safety Education Programs Regional Comparison, FY ‘06 - FY ‘08

8. Total NASBLA-approved Certificates By Region, FY ‘06 - FY ‘08
Total number NASBLA-approved Certificates for the last 3 years by region:
SSBLA : 142,278 students
NABA – 2008: 188,450 students
WSBAA – 2008: 63,467 students

9. Boating Safety Education Programs 2008 Regional Cost Per Student
Based on the amount of RBS dollars each region spent for Boating Safety Education Programs the 2008 cost per student for each region is (this cost includes all potential costs – overhead, teachers, supplies, etc):
SSBLA : $ ($15.5M / 142,278 students)
NABA – 2008: $ ($7.9M / 188,450 students)
WSBAA – 2008: $ ($12.4M / 63,467 students)

10. Where We Go From Here
Continue to track data to look for national, regional, and state trends.
Continue to conduct comparative studies to help determine key denominators in successful programs.
Work with NASBLA on collection of similar data for on-the-water/ hands-on education.

11. On-the-Water Education
On-the-water / Hands-on Education does not have any standards.
Little data available from course providers on certificates earned.
NASBLA is working towards establishing best practices for on-the-water/ hands-on education.
NASBLA’s Education Standards and Best Practices Subcommittee is creating list of best practices; identified 42 courses to date.
On-the-water / Hands-on Education currently does not have any standards while Mandatory Education has NASBLA standards to meet in order to be recognized.
To conduct similar analyses of on-the-water/ advanced course provides, need the following types of information:
How many providers?
How many students educated/ certificates?
Types of courses?
How many hours expected of students?
Cost to students? Cost to providers/ student?

12. National Boating Safety Advisory Council
USCG Report On
On-the-Water / Hands-on
Education

13. Advanced On-the-Water Education is offered by:
Advanced Education opportunities for “On-the-Water / Hands-on Education”
Advanced On-the-Water Education is offered by:
American Canoe Association
US Powerboating
US Sailing Association
U.S. Power Squadrons
Boy Scouts of America
Multiple Commercial Providers
This is not a complete list of all suppliers of advanced education that require or offer an on-Water training curriculum.
Each have their own curriculum and specific skill sets that their governing body has approved. Many have required swimming, CPR and first aid requirements in their curriculums.
These organizations have mandatory classroom or one on one instruction.
They require a student to pass a written exam and show hands on/ on-the water proficiency in the type of watercraft in which they are being certified to operate.
Each organization maintains their own database of those completing a course and receiving a certificate of completion.
Some organizations only track the number and not the individual data

14. American Canoe Association “On-the-Water” Education
American Canoe Association (ACA) continues to have a substantial number of students completing “on-the-water” education.
In an average year the ACA through their outreach efforts teach on-the-water education to an estimate of over 800 thousand students.
(2007 study conducted by Radford University)
The ACA on-the-water curriculum has been acknowledged as the National paddlesports Education Program by many organizations that have aquatic programs.
The ACA’s Safety Education & Instruction Council developed national instruction programs and 
On-the-Water Safety Curriculum for all disciplines.
The ACA on-the-water curriculum has been acknowledged as the National paddlesport Education Program standard by many organizations that have paddling programs. (YMCA, Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts of America, 4H, etc)
The Safety Education & Instruction Council (SEIC) of ACA has recently made significant changes to their curriculum in many different disciplines. These courses include basic on-the-water skills.
National on-water instruction programs include: Coastal Kayaking/ Canoeing, River Kayaking/ Canoeing, Canoe/ Kayak Trip Leader, Canoe / Kayak Touring.

15. US Sailing & US Powerboating “On-the-Water” Education
US Sailing & US Powerboating continue to have a strong “on-the-water” education program and are considered the national leaders for on-the-water sail and powerboat education.
5 basic courses designed for on-the-water training for Sailing
9 courses designed for Powerboat Operators
The courses cover the full spectrum of on-the-water boating education, ranging from the entry level beginner to the advanced boat handling.
These two organizations continue to deliver high quality on-the-water training.
Each organization has their own curriculum. Their respective governing bodies must approve any changes to the curriculum that would affect their standards nation wide.
US Sailing & US Powerboating work together to offer on-the-water education opportunities.
US SAILING Training Programs offer a variety of services for community sailing programs, commercial sailing schools, yacht clubs, park and recreation facilities, camps and other organizations
Both organizations have mandatory classroom or one on one instruction.
Both require a student to pass a written exam and show hands on or on-the water proficiently in the type of watercraft in which they are being certified to operate.
Both organization maintains their own database of those completing a course and receiving a certificate of completion.
Each of their websites provides an overall view of their course curriculums found at and US Power Boating

16. U.S. Power Squadrons “On-the-Water” Education
The following initiatives were developed by the USPS University. The curriculums for several disciplines have been completed, other remain in the developmental stage.
Inland Navigator Course is now available which includes the on-the-water curriculum.
Boat Handing Under Power is available, but the on-the-water component is still under development.
6 Hour Advanced Power Boating Handling is available, but the on-the-water component is still under development.
Partners in Command is a Seminar for mates and crew it is available, on-the-water component is still under development.
USPS recently cleared one of their biggest obstacles! They have a new Yacht Policy that provides insurance coverage for on-the-water training. It also provides Media Liability and Professional Liability.
Currently they have 50 Instructors and 24 Instructor Trainers to teach the on-the-water education curriculum.
Inland Navigator Course is up and running. This course will not receive NASBLA approval as NASBLA does not “certify” on-the-water education.
The 3 remaining courses will offer the on-the-water curriculum once they are completed and approved by USPS’s governing board.
Many other initiatives are planned for advanced education that will be provided at the “Point of Purchase”. Other organizations are utilizing this concept to target boating education at all levels from beginners to the advanced on-the-water concept. Marinas, Marine distributors and some boat manufacturers may offer an on-water orientation boating course at the time of purchase. The curriculum will vary in content in most cases.

17. Boy Scouts of America “On-the-Water” Education
Boy Scouts of America Aquatic Merit Badges in Motorboating, Canoeing, Rowing, Sailing, and Whitewater continue to increase in popularity.
These “on-the-water” curricula continue to target male youths; ages 11 to 18.
One new skill-training of on-the-water programs approved for adults was introduced this past summer (2008).
Paddle Craft Safety
The Boy Scouts of America has been keeping pace in its aquatic safety practices. The Aquatic Program within BSA relies on other recognized bodies who are leaders in their respective disciplines for the most up-to-date safety and education materials available.

18. Federal Register Vol. 72 No. 217 Solicitation for Grants Update
November 9, 2007 Notice 63619
Solicitation for Grants Update
Practical “on-the-water” course.
The Boating Safety Division solicited grantees to carry out a program to encourage and develop a small boat practical “on-the-water” course curriculum for the 2008 grant cycle.
The two organizations that received grants to develop on-the-water courses are:
The National Safe Boating Council who is developing a Basic Safe Boat Handling Course.
CEERI, Inc. who is developing an on-the-water component offered at the dealership.
The National Safe Boating Council is developing a basic boat handling course which will cover all facets of boat handling; such as close quarter maneuvering, maneuvering in congested channels, rough water operations and normal open water operations
CEERI, Inc. (CEERI is their corporate name, “no acronyms”) is a non-profit organization of providing boating safety education and awareness, located in Wilton Manor, Florida (affiliated with the Marine University). CEERI funds the Boater 101 and Marine University educational programs. They will be developing an on-the-water component offered at a dealership at the time of purchase.

19. Future Plans and Recommendation for On-the-Water Training Courses
Continue to monitor trends and numbers of organizations who offer on-the-water training.
NASBLA’s Education Standards and Best Practices Subcommittee is creating a list of best practices. Conducting surveys of currently available on-the-water courses. To date, NASBLA has identified 42 courses.
Continue to be proactive to encourage through the national non-profit grant cycle for development of on-the-water courses.
NASBLA is currently evaluating two (02) (on-the-water, skilled based) Boating education courses:
1. Chapman’s Boating Essentials – CPC 100  “Chapman Powerboat Certification” (CPC tm) and
2. The USPS – Inland Navigator.
NASBLA Subcommittee will continue compiling a list of providers who offer on-the-water education and developing list of best practices.