1. Presented November 12, 2015 NBSAC, Washington D.C.
A More Cost-Effective, Timely,  Reliable, and Accessible National Recreational Boating Safety Survey
Presented November 12, 2015
NBSAC, Washington D.C.

2. 1 2 3 4 5 Presentation Outline Importance of NRBSS Complexities
Progress – Next NRBSS 4
Recommendations – Next NRBBS 5
Questions

3. 1. The Potential of the USCG’s NRBSS is Uniquely Important
The Size and Scope of the Sample
The Data will be Information Beneficial to USCG, State Agencies and Industry
Consistent Data to Estimate Numbers and Characteristics of Boating Participants
Data Necessary to Estimate Different Measures of Boating Exposure

4. 2. Complexities Associated with Conducting the NRBSS – Contribute to the COST
The Accelerating Change of the Survey Environment
Recall - Days, Hours, Persons Aboard Boats
Sampling Frame – Registered Boat Owners for Some States & Non-registered Boat Owners
Defining Terms – Accurately in Understandable Way
Comparing Findings – Across Surveys that Employ Different Sampling Frames, Questions, Methods, …

5. 3. Progress Toward Conducting the Next NRBSS
3.1. Confirming Objectives to Guide the Scope and Design of Future NRBSSs.
Generate valid and reliable estimates of the numbers and types of both registered and non-registered boats owned and that are operated out on the water during a given year.
Collect data required to produce different exposure estimates (e.g., boating days, boat hours, person hours) for a given year.
Produce national estimates of the numbers, and their socio-economic characteristics, of boating participants and the owners of different types of registered and non-registered boats.

6. 3.1. Confirming Objectives to Guide the Scope and Design of Future NRBSSs
Produce and suitably distribute results of the NRBSS within six months of surveys being completed.
Make the NRBSS data conveniently accessible in a format that encourages its effective utilization by different agencies, organizations and the boating industry.
Employ the NRBSS to produce cutting-edge analytics and the development of forecasting and simulation models.

7. 3. Progress Toward Conducting the Next NRBSS
3.2. Determining the USCG NRBSS Priority Data
Number and types of un-registered “boats”
Number of all “boats” taken out (operated) on the water
States where boats are operated
Amount of time (days, hours) boats are operated on the water
Number of persons aboard boats operated on the water
Socio-economic characteristics of boat owners
Number of different persons that go out on “boat” participants

8. 3. Progress Toward Conducting the Next NRBSS
3.3. Finalizing (15) Definitions of Important NRBSS Terms.
RECREATIONAL BOATS/Vessels– craft that are operated out on the water for recreational purposes, not for commercial purposes. Recreational boats include: outboard, inboard and stern-drive power boats, jet boats, pontoons, houseboats, sailboats, row boats, canoes, kayaks, dragon boats, personal watercraft (e.g., jet skis), inflatable boats, kite boards, stand-up paddleboards and sail boards. Recreational boats/vessels are also boats rented that are operated by the renter, but they not include captained charter or party boats, ferries, or cruise ships

9. 3.3. Finalizing (15) Definitions of Important NRBSS Terms
RECREATIONAL BOAT USE includes operation of, or presence on, a recreational boat/vessel out on the water, either while it is being prepared (e.g., supplied, fueled, launched) for immediate departure or while the boat is on the water away from its mooring
 A BOAT OWNER: a household, in which at least one person holds the title, registration, and/or ownership rights to a recreational boat

10. 3. Progress Toward Conducting the Next NRBSS
3.4. Determined and reviewed the Cost of USCG National Boating Surveys and other National Survey Efforts
Survey Year
Survey
Completed Surveys
 Estimated
Cost
2012 NRBS
1.  Household Participation Survey (Telephone)
17,322
$1.25 million
2. Trip Survey
40,406
$3.12 Million
Telephone
25,447
Web
14,959
2011 NRBS
1. Household Participation Survey (Telephone)
20,140
2. Boat (Owner) Survey
32,568
$1.87 Million
Mail
13,020
19,548
2002 National Boating Survey
25,547
$1.53 Million
2011 National Recreational Boating Survey -
p.13 (text)
Approximately 1.65 million call attempts yielded 35,700 completed surveys including 20,140 participant surveys and 15, 560 boat owner surveys.
p.13 (table 3)
…completed phone interviews (19,548).
… competed mail surveys (13,020)
2012 Methodology report -
p. 22
2002 Report -
p. ii - A total of 25,547 completed surveys were completed with individuals who operated boats between September 2001 and September 2002.
p. 8 - A total of 25,547 surveys were completed with individuals who went boating between September 2001 and September 2002.
p Table total: 25,540
p.11 … number of boating days for primary operators (Table 3.3)
p Boat operator: Individual in the household who operated the boat most often.
Secondary boat operator: Person who took the boat out on the water without the primary boat operator onboard.

11. Progress Toward Conducting the Next NRBSS
3.5. Comprehensive review, and different measures of data, and methods employed to estimate exposure and risk ratios.
3.6. Wide-ranging review of different types of boating surveys (e.g., methods, samples, questions).
3.7. Meetings with USCG Division of Contracting and Acquisition in an Effort to Develop a More Specific FRP to Conduct the NRBSS.
2011 National Recreational Boating Survey -
p.13 (text)
Approximately 1.65 million call attempts yielded 35,700 completed surveys including 20,140 participant surveys and 15, 560 boat owner surveys.
p.13 (table 3)
…completed phone interviews (19,548).
… competed mail surveys (13,020)
2012 Methodology report -
p. 22
2002 Report -
p. ii - A total of 25,547 completed surveys were completed with individuals who operated boats between September 2001 and September 2002.
p. 8 - A total of 25,547 surveys were completed with individuals who went boating between September 2001 and September 2002.
p Table total: 25,540
p.11 … number of boating days for primary operators (Table 3.3)
p Boat operator: Individual in the household who operated the boat most often.
Secondary boat operator: Person who took the boat out on the water without the primary boat operator onboard.

12. Progress Toward Conducting the Next NRBSS
3.8. Meetings to Commence and More Quickly Navigate the OMB Survey Approval Process.
USCG OMB Liaison
Dept. of Homeland Security OMB Liaison
OBM Staff
2011 National Recreational Boating Survey -
p.13 (text)
Approximately 1.65 million call attempts yielded 35,700 completed surveys including 20,140 participant surveys and 15, 560 boat owner surveys.
p.13 (table 3)
…completed phone interviews (19,548).
… competed mail surveys (13,020)
2012 Methodology report -
p. 22
2002 Report -
p. ii - A total of 25,547 completed surveys were completed with individuals who operated boats between September 2001 and September 2002.
p. 8 - A total of 25,547 surveys were completed with individuals who went boating between September 2001 and September 2002.
p Table total: 25,540
p.11 … number of boating days for primary operators (Table 3.3)
p Boat operator: Individual in the household who operated the boat most often.
Secondary boat operator: Person who took the boat out on the water without the primary boat operator onboard.

13. 4. Our Recommendations for the Next NRBSS
4.1. Focus the Effort on Collecting Valid and Reliable Data Required to Estimate Exposure (National and States).
4.2. Consider an Every-Other-Year Survey – Which is Feasible for $3 million ($1.5 million/year).
More current exposure data, risk ratios, boating participant and participation information
Changes in the boating and safety environment
Data points for trend identification and analysis and modeling

14. 4. Our Recommendations for the Next NRBSS
If, Instead, a Decision is Made to Conduct the Survey Every Three Years.
2017 or
Priority Data to Estimate Boating Exposure Data
Priority Data to Estimate Boating Exposure Data
Priority Data to Estimate Boating Exposure Data
Special Emerging
Topics
Different
Special Emerging
Topics
Additional Analytics

15. 4. Our Recommendations for the Next NRBSS
4.4. Employ a Very Specific RFP and Contract.
Require that the Contractor Knows Boating & Has Previous Boating Research Experience – Not Just Survey Methods.
4.6. Comparative Verification of the Findings.
4.7. Require and Enforce a Very Timely Release of the Findings.
Make it Easy to Acquire and Employ the Data and Encourage its Use and Analysis.

16. Contact information
For further information, please contact: Dr. Ed Mahoney – Department of Community Sustainability and the School of Planning, Design and Construction Michigan State University 131 Natural Resources Bldg. East Lansing, MI Phone: Fax: