1. Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program : Continuity, but Change Fred Messmann, Chair

2. Outline of presentation
Introduction
Plan structure
Strategies by objective
Discussion and NBSAC approval or modification

3. INTRODUCTION:
Principles, Characteristics, and Numerical goals

4. Broad plan goals
Foster the development of a robust “safety culture” among the boating public
Reduce injuries and fatalities
Use appropriate and focused combination of outreach initiatives, regulation, and enforcement
Convince the public that any regulations “codify prudence” and are not unduly burdensome

5. Safety culture Culture definitions:
A set of learned beliefs, values and behaviors; the way of life shared by the members of a society,
Shared values (what is important) and beliefs (how things work) that interact with an organization’s structures and control systems to produce behavioral norms.
More simply, culture is “how things work” or “the way we do things”

6. Four key features of a robust safety culture
Flexible
Reporting
Informed
Learning

7. Four key features of a robust safety culture
Flexible
Adapt to change as new data or information becomes available
Reporting
Accident data reported and entered into BARD for analysis
Learning
BARD and other data analyzed to develop learnings
Informed
Mindful, learning cultures make informed choices

8. Plan characteristics Evolutionary rather than revolutionary
Focus on continuous improvement, but sets the stage for more robust performance initiatives including
Mandatory education
Assess feasibility and benefits of mandatory life jacket wear for certain vessels
Continuous improvements; not mere replication
Assumes active participation of partners

9. Plan goals
Developed using both judgment of subject matter experts and statistical trend extrapolation
Plan incorporates objectives to develop improved basis for goal setting so that future will be “data-driven”
Goals believed realistic
Plan is a “living document” to be revised as new information becomes available

10. Numerical goals Numerical goals 5-year moving averages Fiscal year
Number of
injuries
deaths
Total
casualties
2012
3,295
677
3,972
2013
3,212
672
3,884
2014
3,132
666
3,798
2015
3,054
661
3,715
2016
2,997
656
3,653
Numerical goals 5-year moving averages

11. Why are goals so modest?
Fatality rates have dropped dramatically since the 1960s, but
Progress slowed in recent years as “low hanging fruit” already harvested
More dramatic changes in future will require different approaches
Gray line is plot
of actual data
Blue line is plot
of fitted model

12. Targets within objectives
Defined where feasible for various objectives and strategies
Designed to be SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Agreed
Realistic
Time-based

13. Are we there yet?
Throughout the planning process the Jeff Hoedt kept asking the planning team “Are we there yet?”—meaning “Have we reached the practical limits of intervention?”
The team acknowledged that progress is becoming more difficult, but concluded that the status quo was not satisfactory

14. Doing the right things right
Plan architects believe that plan attempts to do the “right things”
Plan execution requires “doing the right things right” and depends upon the joint actions of boating safety partners
Success depends upon many factors not under control of USCG, including partner actions and boating public response

15. Structure

16. Plan structure
Plan consists of eleven objectives and associated implementation strategies for each
Objectives and strategies mutually supporting, integrated, and interdependent—therefore objectives have no priority ordering
Objectives
Strategies
Goals

17. Plan architects Each objective leader was supported with a great team!
Boating Education
Cecilia Duer
Outreach
Larry Meddock
Advanced Boating Education
Pam Dillon
Life Jacket Wear
Dorothy Takashina
Operator Compliance-Nav Rules
Maureen Healey
Boating Under the Influence
Richard Moore
Manufacturer Compliance
Marcia Kull
Operator Compliance-Safety Equip
Margaret Podlich
Accident Reporting
Fred Messmann
Research and Development
Dan Maxim
Effective Grants
J.J. Marie and John Fetterman
Each objective leader was supported with a great team!

18. Objectives and component strategies

19. Objective 1: Education Core Concepts
Data support value of boating safety education
But data gaps remain: more and better data needed
Strategies also aimed to strengthen State and Federal requirements
Effectiveness of boating safety education to be measured

20. Strategies: Objective 1
1.1: Track the Number of Certificates - States
1.2: Track the Number of Certificates - USCG
1.3: Strengthen Boating Education Laws – States
1.4: Strengthen Boating Education Laws – Federal
1.5: Measure Effectiveness of Education Methods

21. Objective 2: Outreach Core Concepts Outreach is key to plan success
New media and new audiences included in plans
Search for impact measures to optimize outreach effort
Focus on key messages (life jackets, BUI, and NAVRULES)

22. Strategies: Objective 2
2.1: Develop a system for measuring the effectiveness of all media outreach efforts utilized within the first year of this Strategic Plan
2.2: National Outreach Work Group
2.3: Deliver Messages through Grassroots Efforts
2.4: Deliver Branded Messages through Traditional Mass Media
2.5: Deliver Branded Messages through Non-Traditional/New/Social Media
2.6: Reach the Segment of the Boating Public with Limited English Proficiency
2.7: Deliver Messages via Law Enforcement Officers
2.8: Deliver Messages via Marine Dealer Network

23. Objective 3: Advanced and/or on-water, skills-based education
Core Concepts:
Education important and advanced or on-water skills based opportunities potentially valuable, but
We need to learn more about options and their effectiveness and then
Set reasonable targets once benefits understood

24. Strategies: Objective 3
3.1: Track Participation in and Effectiveness of Advanced Education and On-Water, Skills-based Boating Education Courses
3.2: Coordinate Best Practices for On-Water, Skills-based Boating Education Courses
3.3: Set Numerical Targets for Participation in Advanced Education and On-Water, Skills-based Boating Education Courses

25. Objective 4: Life jackets
Core Concepts:
Drownings account for majority of boating fatalities
Increased life jacket wear rates key determinant of success in reducing fatalities
Need to continue to track progress, but also to evaluate other options to “move the needle”

26. Strategies: Objective 4
4.1: Track and Evaluate Life Jacket Wear Rates
4.2: Continue the Life Jacket Wear Rate Tiger Team
4.3: Engage all RBS Professionals in Public Demonstrations of Inflatable Life Jackets
4.4: Continuously Improve Life Jacket Testing and Approval Standards
4.5: Evaluate and Assess the Benefits and Feasibility of Mandatory Life Jacket Wear Regulations that Target the At-Risk Population(s) as Identified in Strategy 4.2
4.6: Evaluate Life Jacket Loaner Programs
4.7: Address Life Jacket Wear in Boat Owners/Operators Manuals

27. Objective 5: NAVRULES Core Concepts:
Data show that NAVRULES violations account for a significant proportion of boating injuries
Increased knowledge of and compliance with NAVRULES another key component of Strategic Plan

28. Strategies: Objective 5
5.1: Expand the Number of States with Mandatory Boating Safety Classes for NAVRULES Violators
5.2: Implement and Revise Curriculum for Officer Training to help ensure Strict Enforcement of NAVRULES
5.3: Increase Navigation Rule Awareness Among Boaters
5.4: Improve Consistency in Recording NAVRULES violations as contributing factors in BARD

29. Objective 6: BUI Core Concepts:
Data demonstrate BUI a major determinant of boating fatalities
Reducing the incidence of BUI a major objective of the Strategic Plan
No “simple solution” evident, but options exist

30. Strategies: Objective 6
6.1: Measure Alcohol and/or Drug Use in Recreational Boating
6.2: Train Marine Law Enforcement Officers on BUI Detection
6.3: Expand Nationwide Use of the Validated Standardized Seated Sobriety Tests
6.4: Analyze Individual State Efforts to Link BUI Violations with Driver’s Licenses
6.5: Conduct BUI Awareness and Enforcement Campaign
6.6: Improve Accuracy of Reporting Alcohol and/or Drug Use in Recreational Boating Accidents
6.7: Test and Evaluate a Pilot Project to Assist in Setting Future Targets (Measures)

31. Objective 7: Manufacturer Compliance
Core Concept:
Broad objective is to decrease preventable accidents by inspecting registered manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance with Federal Safety Regulations

32. Strategies: Objective 7
7.1: Identify Problem Boats/Manufacturers
7.2: Test/Target Recreational Boats with Flotation Issues
7.3: Manufacturer Outreach
7.4: Conduct and support research to identify new products, new designs or new safety standards that would reduce boating injuries and deaths

33. Objective 8: Operator compliance with required safety equipment
Core Concepts:
Required safety equipment believed necessary
Importance of required and recommended equipment not fully understood by public
Need to simplify and focus outreach efforts

34. Strategies: Objective 8
8.1: Evaluate Incidents of Non-Compliance with specific USCG Required Safety Equipment
8.2: Analyze Required and Recommended Equipment
8.3: Assess effectiveness of current boater education outreach and law enforcement programs to achieve higher compliance rates with USCG Safety Equipment carriage requirements, including life jackets
8.4: Enhance Compliance Outreach
8.5: Simplify the Message
8.6: Increase Boaters’ Knowledge of Safety Equipment
8.7: Encourage Purchase of Required Safety Equipment

35. Objective 9: Boating Accident Reporting
Core Concepts:
Accurate and timely BAR data essential input to Strategic Plan
Strategies to deal with under-reporting essential and promising options exist
Numerous other opportunities to increase utility of data

36. Strategies: Objective 9
9.1: Recommendations of the “Regulatory Review and Accident Reporting Requirement Regulation” Task Force
9.2: Develop a two-tiered boating accident notification/reporting system requiring operator (or owner) notification of the accident to the state reporting authority or designee, with required state follow-up investigation and gathering and submission of all required report data by the state authority. Continually evaluate innovative technology for reporting (coordinate with strategy 2.2).
9.3: Clarify through policy and regulation, which watercraft qualify for boating accident reporting
9.4: Include exclusive state waters in accident reporting requirements

37. Strategies: Objective 9 - cont.2
9.5: Clarify which boating-related injuries qualify for reporting by adopting OSHA standards for “medical treatment beyond first aid” as the standard for recreational boating injury reporting
9.6: Consider revising reportable boating accident criteria to exclude incidents where the vessel was underway and being used as a swimming platform or a person voluntarily leaves the vessel as the first event
9.7: Create a Decision Matrix that will simplify the boating accident and casualty reporting decision-making process for state reporting authorities, their designees, boating accident investigators and the boating public

38. Strategies: Objective 9 – cont.3
9.8: Establish and enforce the responsibility and accountability of first responders for notifying of an accident or casualty and of state reporting authorities for investigating and submitting boating accident report data
9.9: Amend the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to specify the essential elements of information required to be included in the initial notification of a boating accident
9.10: Amend the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to abstain from including specific data elements and require that essential elements of boating accident report information be specified in a US Coast Guard policy document
9.11: Revise the former guidance document CG-449, and make it available in a condensed version through electronic media

39. Strategies: Objective 9 – cont.4
9.12: Examine the feasibility of harmonizing commercial and recreational boating accident cause data.
9.13: Continue to research methods for statistical adjustment of accident totals to help extrapolate unreported accidents.
9.14: Draft text for inclusion in Boating Statistics discussing possible errors and limits to interpretation of data extracted from BARD.
9.15: Examine the suitability of additional models of accident causation (human factors) for use in describing fatal recreational boating accidents.

40. Strategies: Objective 9 – cont.5
9.16: Assist the states in conducting training, education and outreach efforts directed toward the boating public and accident investigators and regarding boating accident notification and reporting regulatory and policy revisions
9.17: Vessel Identification System (VIS)
9.18: Link BARD to VIS
9.15: Manufacturer Participation in VIS

41. Objective 10: “Data Central”
Core concepts:
Develop and improve accident and exposure data
Investigate ways to improve response and/or compensate for non-response in accident reporting
Analyze data to learn more about determinants of accidents and effectiveness of countermeasures

42. Strategies: Objective 10
10.1: Conduct National Boating Survey
10.2: Conduct lifejacket research
10.3: Measure exposure and use for risk analysis
10.4: Improve BARD data
10.5: Analyze BARD data
10.6: Assess and compensate for non-response
10.7: Assess priority for non-compliance work
10.8: Analyze data on boaters with limited English proficiency
10.9: Review Performance Report Part II
10.10: Reduce the regulatory backlog for RBS regulations

43. Objective 11: Effectiveness of non-profit grants
Core Concepts:
Non-profit grants provide important research
NBSAC should be fully familiar with study results to function effectively
Need to provide public access to effective grant products

44. Strategies: Objective 11
11.1: Review Non-Profit Organization Grants
11.2: Provide public access to effective grant products

45. Discussion and NBSAC approval or modification

46. Things to keep in mind
Plan is linked: Changes to strategies in one objective may impact other objectives
Goals keyed to content: Changes to strategies may impact goals for fatalities and injuries
Objectives and strategies negotiated by group with diverse expertise and viewpoints
Focus on substance—editorial changes will be handled off-line

47. Your comments?