1. Hands-On/On-the-Water Training
IS THERE A NEW WAVE COMING?
National Boating Safety Advisory Council
Orlando, FL
January 14, 2011

2. Hands-On/On-the-Water Training:
BACKGROUND/CURRENT STATE:
Boating Public Lack Formalized Boat Handling Skills
No nationally recognized standard for on-water boat training
USCG Statistics indicate that only 14% of boat deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction
Capacity to Deliver?
Currently there are no standards for On-the-water / Hands-on Education.
From the Recreational Boating Statistics 2009: “Only fourteen percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction. “
BAR form for the USCG has selection boxes: None, State Course, USCG Auxiliary course, US Power Squadrons course, Internet (write in area), Other (write in area)
Capacity to Deliver refers to the problem of getting the multitude (12 plus million) of boat operators trained -on-the-water.
***There is also little data available from course providers on certificates earned.

3. The Education Involved in Boating Accidents
Looking further at how EDUCATION is involved in Boating Accidents
Out of the CG Reportable accidents for the most recent recreational boating accident statistics (2009) available
Of all the “Operators” that were involved in “Accidents”, 29% reported “any”/some type of boating safety instruction.

4. NASBLA Survey of Members – On-the-Water Training
16 States definitively responded that either they had courses or other organizations conducted programs with on-the-water components in their state
533 courses were identified in the NASBLA survey
44 plus an additional 489 from the State of California
List included youth courses, sailing courses, and paddling courses
In an effort to understand what was out there regarding on-the-water training
NASBLA conducted a Spring 2010 survey
They asked about --- Courses with on-water components (as identified by NASBLA Education Committee Survey)
The main questions where: 1) Does Your State Offer? 2) Do other organizations offer in your State?
The answer:
44 courses reported, more from California, 533 total (includes youth courses, sailing, paddling).

5. Capacity to Deliver How are all operators going to be reached?
Over 12.7 million registered boats in 2009.
Using one organization as an example: U.S. Power Squadrons
To date - approximately 500 USPS instructors have been certified for on-water teaching.
In 2009 – only 24 USPS instructors had completed the US Sailing training that certified them in the On-Water program.
How will the masses be reached? – Increasing the Capacity to Deliver.
USPS currently has 500 instructors certified to teach on-water courses—this is up from the 24 instructors that they had in 2009.
They went through the training developed by US Sailing/Powerboating in accordance with a MOU between USPS and US Sailing.

6. Nationally Recognized Standards for Power Boating Safety Courses
Classroom, Internet, Distance
On-the-Water
NASBLA approval
Standard 1 through 7 and 9, with 8 being state specific
NASBLA approval is NOT the same as NASBLA Seal of Safe Boating Practices!
NO nationally recognized standards exist
NASBLA approval is for the classroom, internet, and distance course offerings.
NASBLA approved courses have a specific criteria that they need to meet (1 through 7 and 9)
NASBLA’s Seal of Safe Boating Practices is not for courses
On-the-Water training has no agreed upon national standards (NASBLA or otherwise)
***Please Note: US Sailing claims to have the only “National On-Water Training Standards”
Where Do We Go From Here?

7. What Is The NASBLA Seal of Safe Boating Practices?
The NASBLA Seal of Safe Boating Practices is not intended for training courses.
The purpose of the NASBLA Seal of Safe Boating Practices is to encourage producers of boating media to adhere to the highest standards in quality boating safety information.
PSAs, Brochures, DVDs, CD-ROMs
The purpose of the NASBLA Seal of Safe Boating Practices
is to encourage producers of boating media to adhere to
the highest standards in quality boating safety information.
NASBLA feels it is important to provide recognition and
endorsement for worthy boating publications, videos,
brochures and other media.
Due to the nature of the products, boating safety courses are not eligible for the Seal of Safe Boating Practices.

8. On-the-Water/Hands-On Training
WAYPOINTS to DESIRED STATE:
US Sailing initiated on-water Power boat handling that serves as the genesis today ... For more than 20 years “On-the-Water” powerboat training has been a part of US SAILING's educational offerings, initially incorporated into courses used to train sailing instructors and later developed into separate powerboat-handling courses .
Need formalization of “Best Practices for On-Water Education Standards”, in keeping with Nat’l RBS Strategic Plan Objective 3.
US sailing was at the forefront of the on-the-water training development
US Sailing initiated on-water Power boat handling that serves as the genesis today
For more than 20 years “On-the-Water” powerboat training has been a part of US SAILING's educational offerings,
initially incorporated into courses used to train sailing instructors
later developed into separate powerboat-handling courses .
WE Need formalization of “Best Practices for On-Water Education Standards”, in keeping with Nat’l RBS Strategic Plan Obj 3.

9. GRANTS 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.
Current:
The National Safe Boating Council - “Close Quarters Boat Handling” Course.
USPS - Practical On-the-Water Training Course.
American Red Cross – “Small Craft” Course.
US Sailing - Expanded On-the-Water Boater Safety Training Through Drivers Education for Boaters.
Follow-up:
CEERI, Inc. - “Implement Dealer Standardized On-Water Training Program”
These are the current grants that are in process right now:
NSBC – Developed a Close Quarters Boat Handling Course.
USPS – Selected regions of the country to implement their course; “Practical On-the-Water Training”.
American Red Cross – Small Craft Course
US Sailing – Developing an Expanded On-the-Water Boater Safety Training through Drivers Education for boaters
CEERI had already developed a course called “Dealer Standardized On-Water Training Program”
CEERI’s current grant (follow-up) is to implement their course.
will assist with the Dealer Certification Program (DCP).
Current grant will allow the DCP to incorporate a boating safety element into their certification process.

10. “Close Quarter Boat Control” Course
Teaches maneuvering in tight spaces, i.e. along docks/slips etc.
There have been several pilot courses taught with great success and positive feedback.
NSBC is making corrections from feedback they have received.
The National Safe Boating Council who developed a Close Quarters Boat Handling Course- ---maneuvering in tight spaces, i.e. along docks/slips etc.
They are in the final stages of their grant.
They are fine tuning the curriculum from feedback from participants who have taken the course.
Thus far, initial reviews from participants who took part in the pilot training course are extremely favorable.

11. “Practical On-the-Water Training” Course.
Everything a recreational boater needs - developed for vessels 16 to 26 ft in length.
Sought help from USCG Boating Safety Division’s Program Operations Branch for On-the-Water standards.
Community wide think tank helped establish curriculum to be taught.
Created a companion video.
Ready to conduct final round of beta testing.
The actual name of the USPS course is: “Practical On-the-Water Training”
One (01) instructor pilot course and three (03) pilot student course have been conducted. They have fine turned the classroom pre-training.
Everything a recreational boater needs - developed for vessels 16 to 26 ft in length.
The Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Div (CG-54222) Programs Operations Branch provided initial parameters for On-Water-Standards
Community Wide team consisting of members of the USPS, CG Aux, Boat US, NSBC, USACE, & US Sailing were brought together as a think tank to discuss formulate what standards should be taught.
They have created a companion video that complements the course.
They are ready to conduct the final round of Beta testing (pilot course to see if the format will work). The grant is on schedule.

12. “Blended Learning for Small Craft Safety” Course.
St. Louis Chapter is developing a Basic Water-Rescue and Small Craft Safety (BWRSCS) Web-Based Blended Learning Educational Program Course.
What you need to practice will be web-based.
At a later date, individuals will complete the on-water skills/demonstration portion for the final certification process in person.
St. Louis Chapter American Red Cross is developing a Basic water Rescue and Small Craft Safety (BWRSCS) Web-Based Blended Learning Educational Program Course.
Their goal is for the Web Based Training (WBT) component to create a course that is engaging to learners, help the learner become acquainted with ARC’s learning content and then to demonstrate proficiency through life-like scenarios and knowledge builders before completing the final certification assessments.
The Basic water Rescue and Small Craft Safety (BWRSCS) is current only offered in a traditional Classroom setting.
ARC’s key objective for this project is to create a seamless online training solution which will allow learners to take the course at their own convenience, thus reaching more people.

13. Expand On-the-Water Boater Safety Training Through “Drivers Ed for Boaters” Course.
Grow the footprint of their existing NASBLA –approved Safe Powerboat course.
Certify extensive network of instructors/waterfront training centers to offer this On-the-Water course.
US Sailing is developing an Expanded On-the-Water Boater Safety Training through Drivers Education for Boaters.
Their goal is to leverage its extensive network of instructors and waterfront training centers to grow the footprint of its existing NASBLA –approved Safe Powerboat course.
Thus reaching hundred if not thousands, of new boaters annually.
***US sailing’s Grant Narrative discusses how this would meet objectives and 5 of the strategic plan.

14. GRANT STAGE: Implementation
Center for Environmental Education and Research (CEERI), Inc.
Previous Grant developed On-the-Water component offered at the dealership.
Subsequent Grant to “implement” program.
Currently eight states have ongoing training, 32 certified dealerships, 3 trade associations, 3 boat rental locations. In addition, 2 additional train-the-trainer courses were conducted. A total of 53 instructors are trained to date.
A few years back, the non-profit CEERI, Inc associated with Boater 101, developed the “Dealer Standardized On-Water Training Program”
The follow-on grant will assist with the Dealer Certification Program (DCP).
Current grant will allow the DCP to incorporate a boating safety element into their certification process.
Currently there is on going hands on training in eight states.
There are 32 certified dealerships,
3 trade associations,
3 boat rental locations and
2 additional train the trainer providing this course.
A total of 53 instructors were trained.
They added a Proficiency Exam to the training materials.
They have coordinated with marine manufacturers to present to their dealer groups and contact key dealers in their organization.

15. On-the-Water/Hands-On Training Courses
PROPOSED NEXT STEPS:
USCG to facilitate a meeting/symposium to bring Implementing Partners together to develop ‘best practices” for agreement and establish minimum nationally accepted training standards.
Continue to monitor trends and numbers of organizations who offer on-the-water training.
NASBLA will measure effectiveness of on-the-water courses (survey conducted via USCG Grant).
Next Step for ON-the Water Training
USCG will facilitate a meeting to bring providers together and establish minimum nationally accepted training standards.
Continue to monitor trends and numbers of organizations who offer on-the-water training.
Who will do this? – NASBLA, USCG, Others?
NASBLA will measure effectiveness of on-the-water courses (survey conducted via USCG Grant).