Vessel Type, Activity, Operation--Terms and Definitions (Revised August 2010)

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Engineering, Reporting & Analysis Committee

Recommended Guidance for Investigators and BARD-Web Data Entry Personnel: Vessel Type, Activity, Operation--Terms and Definitions (Revised August 2010)

THE CHARGE

Develop recommended guidelines--reporting guidance and definitions--for investigators and BARD-Web data entry personnel on Vessel Types, Operation at time of boating accident, and Activity at time of accident.

PURPOSE

• To improve incident reporting and entry of report data by: o Being more specific in accident report options already available, and expanding options to help discourage the practice of defaulting to a catch-all “Other” category; o Creating new terms and definitions and clarifying existing ones to lessen confusion over which categories should be used to record accident investigation findings; • Ultimately, to achieve a more detailed set of data and information for future analyses of recreational boating safety issues and program effectiveness.

BACKGROUND

In 2009--after analyzing accident report data and finding issues with existing reporting categories, variations in definitions and coding, and overall data accuracy-- an ERAC project team developed recommended guidance for terms and definitions associated with Accident Types and Contributing Factors/Causes (“Recommended Guidelines for Investigators and BARD-Web Data Entry Personnel: Types of Boating Accidents and Contributing Factors/Causes Defined”). This 2010 product is an extension of that work, in response to similar inconsistencies and high levels of missing data identified by other ERAC teams in three additional areas—Vessel Types, and the Activity and Operation at the time of the accident. 1

The 2009 work to modify the Accident Types and Contributing Factors/Causes was facilitated by the existence of a baseline of terms and definitions drawn from the CG-449 working draft,2 the BARD-Web Online Data Dictionary, a recent update of the Ohio Watercraft Incident Reporting Manual,3 and fields appearing on the

1 All products available for download at http://nasbla.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3305 2 The U.S. Coast Guard “Standard Method of Reporting (Boating Accidents) CG 449” working draft. 3 Issued by the Division of Watercraft, Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (updated 01/2009). 1

most recent version of the Coast Guard’s CG-3865 Recreational Boating Accident Report.4 However, at the time work was initiated on this Vessel Types, Activity and Operation guidance, the references were limited to partial lists of terms within 33 CFR 173.57 (Contents of report), with no accompanying definitions.5 As a result, this 2010 project has used as its baseline comparable lists of terms and definitions from the aforementioned Ohio manual.

PROJECT’S RELATIONSHIP TO PROPOSED RULEMAKING BY THE U.S. COAST GUARD

In May 2010, the Coast Guard issued a long-awaited notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to align and modernize terms used across the Standard Numbering System, Vessel Identification System, and Boating Accident Report Database [USCG-2003-14963]. The proposal affects 33 CFR Parts 173, 174, 181 and 187.

Proposed changes to 33 CFR Part 173 as outlined in the NPRM that are relevant to the content of both the 2009 and 2010 ERAC charge work on terms and definitions include:

• Authorized terms for Vessel Types and definitions for the following (intended to be used across all three systems): airboat, auxiliary sail, cabin motorboat, houseboat, inflatable, open motorboat, paddlecraft, personal watercraft, pontoon boat, rowboat, and sail only. • Definitions for two of the proposed authorized terms for Activity at time of accident: towed watersports and whitewater boating. • Three revised, authorized terms for Operation (of vessel at time of incident): maintaining course and speed, changing course, and changing speed. • Authorized terms for Activity (at time of incident) expanded to include terms previously associated with Operation (of vessel at time of incident) and updated.. • Authorized terms for Type of Incident (Accident Type).

Only the first proposed CFR modification presented above affects all three data systems; the others apply only to casualty reporting.

The 2009 ERAC guidelines product for Accident Types and Contributing Factors/Causes does not appear to have been factored into the development of the proposed list of authorized terms for the Type of Incident, and the committee’s 2010 work on Vessel Types, Activity and Operation was already under way when the NPRM was issued. However, all terms and definitions—from this current project and 2009 work—are being used in the development of the NASBLA response to the NPRM.6 As a result of this review, which will continue until mid-October, there are likely to be further refinements to this proposed guidance.

VESSEL TYPES, ACTIVITY and OPERATION

Vessel Types: The recommended guidance on these terms and definitions features a significant expansion of available reporting options. The purpose is to encourage more specificity and consistency in casualty reporting and, ultimately, improve the vessel data used to inform recreational boating safety policies and programs. Two lists are presented—the first shows the Vessel Types in alphabetical order (pp. 4-6); the second (pp. 7-10) rolls

4 Rev. 07-08. 5 For example: “§ 173.57(21) Type of vessel operation (cruising, drifting, fishing, hunting, skiing, racing or other), and the type of accident (capsizing, sinking, fire, or explosion or other)”; “§ 173.57(23) Make, model, type (open, cabin, house or other)….” 6 Per the NPRM, the deadline for submission of comments was Aug. 5, 2010; however, NASBLA and NMMA requested a deadline extension due to the comprehensive nature of the proposed rulemaking and to accommodate gathering additional feedback from their respective memberships. On Aug. 16, 2010, the Coast Guard reopened the public comment period, with a new deadline of Oct. 15, 2010. 2

each type into one of 12 broad categories coinciding with the 12 proposed authorized terms for Vessel Types from the above mentioned Coast Guard NPRM . This would align with the terms proposed to be used across the SNS, VIS and BARD data systems,7 while still allowing officers/investigators the ability to reach into a subset of terms that give more information about the vessel’s distinguishing characteristics and configurations.

Activity: In this recommended guidance on pp. 11-12, the terms and definitions reflect the purpose(s) of the boating trip the day of the incident.

Operation: The terms and definitions presented on pp. 13-14 are distinguished from those in the Activity category, by reflecting “how” the vessel was being operated at the time of the incident.

7 Differences in proposed definitions for these terms, however, still need to be reconciled as part of the comment development process. 3

VESSEL TYPES (Alphabetical list)

Airboat: A vessel with a solid hull that is propelled using an engine that produces air thrust. This type of vessel does not include “ground effect” as a means of propulsion (i.e., Hovercraft).

Bass Boat: A type of open motorboat; generally, an outboard powered fishing vessel aimed at inland bass fishing. Usually distinguished by a small, two (2) or three (3) occupant cockpit with carpeted decking covering most of the rest of the vessel. Decking usually has two built-in sockets, one fore and one aft, for the insertion of pedestal fishing seats for use only when the vessel is still or moving slowly, usually propelled by a bow mounted electric trolling motor.

[This type of vessel often is used in bass fishing tournaments.]

Bay Boat: A type of center console open motorboat; typically with a modified V hull design to facilitate shallow water operation, may include a tunnel cutout in the hull and hydraulic jack plate for additional shallow water operation capability.

Bow Rider Runabout: A type of open motorboat; a Runabout, typically between 17 and 30 feet in length, with an open bow area where there are extra seats in front of the helm station..

Cabin Cruiser: A motorboat with a cabin that can be completely closed by means of doors or hatches.

[Large motorboats with cabins, even though referred to as yachts, are considered to be cabin cruisers.]

Canoe (designate type: whitewater, recreational, square back, touring, decked, inflatable, etc.): A long light narrow vessel, usually sharp at both ends with curved sides and usually propelled by single blade hand-driven paddles. [There are a number of different types of canoes, and the specific type of canoe should be designated.]

Center Console Boat: A type of open motorboat; a single-decked open hull vessel where the console is in the center of the vessel. The vessel deck surrounds the console so that a person can walk all around from stern to bow with ease.

Cuddy Cabin Motorboat: A type of open motorboat; a vessel with a small cabin and maybe a small galley and small head. It may also have a small berth. Typically, the cuddy is not tall enough to stand in. Also known as a Day Cruiser.

Day Cruiser: See Cuddy Cabin Motorboat.

Deck Boat: A type of open motorboat; a vessel with large open spaces in the interior and ample seating, typically with a deep-V or tri-hull construction that increases maneuverability.

Drift Boat: A type of rowboat. Design characterized by a wide, flat bottom for low draft; flared sides; a narrow, flat bow, often mistaken for the transom; and a pointed stern. Specialized to run rapids on rivers. .

[Also known as the McKenzie dory or Rogue River dory, the vessel is an evolution of the open-water dory, converted for use in running rapids on rivers. First appeared on the McKenzie River in Oregon in the mid-20th century.] 4

Fish and Ski Boat: A type of bowrider open motorboat; designed as a compromise between a Bass Boat and family Runabout. Equipped with bow mounted trolling motor and decking for fishing, but also additional seating and conventional full walk-through windshield design.

Flats Boat: A type of open motorboat; a specialized variation to a Bass Boat noted by a complete decking of the low profile vessel with only a cutout cockpit in the center for the operator and a passenger, who generally sit on the deck. Often rigged with a powerful outboard mounted on a jack plate, so that it may operate at high speed over expanses of relatively shallow water (flats).

Houseboat: A motorized vessel designed primarily with accommodation spaces with little or no foredeck or cockpit, with low freeboard, and with a low length- to- beam ratio.

Hovercraft: A vessel capable of moving over water or land on a cushion of air created by downward directed fans powered by engine(s).

Inflatable: A vessel with a hull that is filled with a gas or air.

Jon Boat: A type of open motorboat; typically, with a flat-bottom design, usually constructed of aluminum and usually with bench seats.

Kayak (designate type: whitewater, recreational, touring, inflatable, etc.): A very lightly built vessel of narrow beam (width) and shallow draft (depth of water drawn when loaded), designed to be manually propelled by paddles that are normally double-ended.

[There are a number of different types of kayaks, and the specific type of kayak should be designated.]

Kiteboard: A modified surfboard with or without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water.

Low Profile Powerboat: A type of open motorboat; typically a high performance vessel with low freeboard/transom, shallow-V configuration and powered by a large engine.

Modified V Jon Boat: A type of open motorboat; a type of Jon Boat, but with the bow shaped in the form of a V to cut the chop.

Offshore Powerboat (cigarette-style): A type of open motorboat; typically, a high performance vessel built of fiberglass construction with a deep V or catamaran offshore racing hull, usually 30 to 50 feet long, relatively narrow in beam, and generally equipped with two (2) or more powerful engines.

Open Deep-V Fishing Boat: A type of open motorboat; deep-V bow configuration, usually aluminum hull, with an open interior and helm at a single console, pedestal seats and electric trolling motor mounted on bow or stern in addition to the primary outboard engine. Different from a Bass Boat in that it does not have elevated fishing decks and has a deeper V bow configuration.

Open Motorboat: A vessel of open construction specifically built for operating with a motor, including vessels canopied or fitted with temporary partial shelters.

Paddle Board: A modified surfboard without bindings that uses a paddle for propulsion.

Paddle Boat: A vessel propelled by alternating paddles, worked by one or more operators’ feet and legs.

Pontoon Boat: A vessel consisting of a rigid structure connecting two (2) parallel rigid sealed buoyancy chambers.

Personal Watercraft (PWC): A vessel that is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than by the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

Raft: A flat bottomed vessel for floating, drifting or maneuvering by paddles on water

Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB/RHIB): A type of open motorboat; a relatively light-weight, but high performance and high capacity vessel constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale.

Rowboat: A Jon Boat, Utility Boat, or Inflatable type vessel equipped with oar locks and propelled manually by one or more persons using oars; no mechanical propulsion utilized.

Rowing Shell: A light, long, narrow racing vessel for rowing by one or more persons.

Runabout: A type of open motorboat, typically between 17 and 30 feet in length, with deck covering the bow, conventional seating and windshield.

Sailboat (no auxiliary engine aboard): A vessel whose sole source of propulsion is the natural element (i.e., wind) or a vessel designed or intended to be propelled primarily by sail, regardless of size or type.

Sailboard: A sail-propelled vessel with no freeboard, equipped with a swivel mounted mast not secured to a hull by guys or stays.

Sailboat (with auxiliary power): A Sailboat propelled either by the auxiliary engine alone (e.g., for close- quarter maneuvering) or by both engine and sails simultaneously when cruising.

Ski Boat: A type of open motorboat; typically, from 18 to 24 feet in length, with a shallow draft V bottom hull and inboard engine. Used primarily for water skiing.

Tritoon Pontoon Boat: A vessel consisting of a rigid structure connecting three (3) parallel fore (front) and aft (back) rigid sealed buoyancy chambers.

Utility Boat: A type of non-racing open motorboat; a small V-bottom vessel with open construction and without a windshield. Normally constructed out of aluminum, and usually with bench seats.

Wakeboard Boat: A type of open motorboat; same as Ski Boat, but also has a wakeboard tower and some type of adjustable, variable onboard ballast system or adjustable transom tab to create more water displacement by the vessel, resulting in larger wakes for the wakeboarder to jump.

Walleye Boat: A type of open motorboat; same as Bass Boat, but with a deeper V configuration and a full, walk-thru windshield.

Other (describe): If vessel does not fit any of the descriptions above, enter another term for the vessel that best describes it. 6

VESSEL TYPES (By Category)

OPEN MOTORBOATS

Bass Boat: A type of open motorboat; generally, an outboard powered fishing vessel aimed at inland bass fishing. It is usually distinguished by a small, two (2) or three (3) occupant cockpit with carpeted decking covering most of the rest of the vessel. Decking usually has two built in sockets, one fore and one aft, for the insertion of pedestal fishing seats for use only when the vessel is still or moving slowly, usually propelled by a bow mounted electric trolling motor.

[This type of vessel often used in bass fishing tournaments.]

Bow Rider Runabout: A type of open motorboat; a Runabout, typically between 17 feet and 30 feet in length, with an open bow area where there are extra seats in front of the helm station.

Center Console Boat: A type of open motorboat; a single-decked open hull vessel where the console of the vessel is in the center of the vessel. The vessel deck surrounds the console so that a person can walk all around from stern to bow with ease.

Day Cruiser: See Cuddy Cabin Motorboat.

Deck Boat: A type of open motorboat; a vessel with large open spaces in the interior and ample seating, typically with a deep-V or tri-hull construction that increases maneuverability.

Jon Boat: A type of open motorboat; typically, with a flat-bottom design, usually constructed of aluminum and usually with bench seats.

Low Profile Powerboat: A type of open motorboat; typically a high performance vessel with low freeboard/transom, shallow-V configuration and powered by a large engine.

Modified V Jon Boat: A type of open motorboat; a type of Jon Boat, but with the bow shaped in the form of a V to cut the chop.

Offshore Powerboat (cigarette-style): A type of open motorboat; typically, a high performance vessel built of fiberglass construction with a deep V or catamaran offshore racing hull, usually 30 to 50 feet long, relatively narrow in beam and generally equipped with two (2) or more powerful engines.

Open Motorboat: Vessel of open construction specifically built for operating with a motor, including vessels canopied or fitted with temporary partial shelters.

Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB/RHIB): A type of open motorboat. A relatively light-weight but high performance and high capacity vessel constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale.

Runabout: A type of open motorboat, typically between 17 and 30 feet in length, with deck covering the bow, conventional seating and windshield.

Ski Boat: A type of open motorboat; typically, from 18 to 24 feet in length, with a shallow draft V bottom hull and inboard engine. Used primarily for water skiing.

Utility Boat: A type of non-racing open motorboat; a small V-bottom vessel with open construction and without a windshield. Normally constructed out of aluminum and usually with bench seats.

Wakeboard Boat: A type of open motorboat; same as Ski Boat, but also has a wakeboard tower and some type of adjustable variable onboard ballast system or adjustable transom tab to create more water displacement by the vessel, resulting in larger wakes for the wakeboarder to jump.

Walleye Boat: A type of open motorboat; same as Bass Boat, but with a deeper V configuration and a full, walk-thru windshield.

CABIN MOTORBOAT

Cabin Cruiser: A motorboat with a cabin that can be completely closed by means of doors or hatches.

[Large motorboats with cabins, even though referred to as yachts, are considered to be cabin cruisers.]

AIRBOAT

Airboat: A vessel with a solid hull that is propelled using an engine that produces air thrust. This type of vessel does not include “ground effect” as a means of propulsion (i.e., Hovercraft).

INFLATABLE BOAT

Inflatable: A vessel with a hull that is filled with a gas or air.

AUXILIARY SAIL

Sailboat (with auxiliary power): A Sailboat propelled either by the auxiliary engine alone (e.g., for close- quarter maneuvering) or by both engine and sails simultaneously when cruising.

SAIL ONLY

Kiteboard: A modified surfboard with or without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across the water.

Sailboard: A sail-propelled vessel with no freeboard, equipped with a swivel mounted mast not secured to a hull by guys or stays.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

Personal Watercraft (PWC): A vessel that is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than by the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

PONTOON BOAT

Pontoon boat: A vessel consisting of a rigid structure connecting two (2) parallel rigid sealed buoyancy chambers.

Tritoon Pontoon Boat: A vessel consisting of a rigid structure connecting three (3) parallel fore (front) and aft (back) rigid sealed buoyancy chambers.

HOUSEBOAT

Houseboat: A motorized vessel designed primarily with accommodation spaces with little or no foredeck or cockpit, with low freeboard, and with a low length-to-beam ratio.

ROWBOAT

Rowboat: A Jon Boat, Utility Boat, or Inflatable type vessel equipped with oar locks and propelled manually by one or more persons using oars; no mechanical propulsion utilized.

Rowing Shell: A light, long, narrow racing vessel for rowing by one or more persons.

PADDLECRAFT

[There are a number of different types of canoes, and the specific type of canoe should be designated.]

Kayak (designate type: whitewater, recreational, touring, inflatable, etc.): A very lightly built vessel of narrow beam (width) and shallow draft (depth of water drawn when loaded) designed to be manually propelled by paddles that are normally double-ended. There are a number of different types of kayaks, and the specific type of kayak should be designated.

[There are a number of different types of kayaks, and the specific type of kayak should be designated.]

Paddle Board: A modified surfboard without bindings that uses a paddle for propulsion.

OTHER

Hovercraft: A vessel capable of moving over water or land on a cushion of air created by downward directed fans powered by engine(s)

Paddle Boat: A vessel propelled by alternating paddles, worked by one or more operators’ feet and legs.

Raft: A flat bottomed vessel for floating, drifting or maneuvering by paddles on water.

Other (describe): If this vessel does not fit any of the descriptions above, enter another term for the vessel that best describes it.

ACTIVITY AT TIME OF ACCIDENT (Purpose(s) of the boating trip the day of the incident Note: A boater may have several different trips and activities in one day.)

Commercial Activity: Vessel was being used for commercial activity. Includes carrying passengers for hire; fishing, crabbing, or shrimping in support of one’s business; or charging a fee to tow a vessel.

Fishing: Vessel’s occupants were engaged in any recreational fishing activity for sport and not in support of a business venture.

Government/Law Enforcement/Research: Vessel is owned by a local, state or federal regulatory or SAR entity and was being used for official business at the time of the accident.

Hunting: Vessel’s occupants were engaged in any recreational hunting activity for sport and not in support of a business venture.

Rac ing: Vessel was involved in a contest of speed with another vessel that was not sanctioned by a nationally- recognized organization for these types of events.

Recreational Cruising: Vessel was used for a non-commercial, non-racing, or non-specific purpose upon the water.

Scuba Diving: Vessel’s occupants were engaged in scuba diving activity during or just prior to the incident, or the vessel was involved in an incident with individuals engaged in these activities who were not occupants on the vessel.

Snorkeling: Vessel’s occupants were engaged in snorkeling during or just prior to the incident or the vessel was involved in an incident with individuals engaged in these activities who were not occupants on the vessel.

Swimming: Vessel’s occupants were engaged in swimming activity during or just prior to the incident, or the vessel was involved in an incident with individuals engaged in these activities who were not occupants on the vessel.

Tournament: Vessel was participating in a fishing tournament at the time of the incident.

Towed Water Sports: Vessel was involved in an activity using a device on which a person was being towed, pulled or propelled behind the vessel across the surface of water. The act of towing may have involved the person being pulled by the use of a tow rope attached to the vessel, and the tow rope may have been attached to the device or grasped by the person. In addition, the device may have been propelled solely by the wake of the vessel.

[In some towing sports, a device may not be used at all.]

Subcategories of Towed Water Sports include:

o Water Skiing - A tow sport that involves the participant being attached to one or two skis while grasping the tow rope.

o Wakeboarding - A tow sport that involves the participant being attached to a planing board while grasping the tow rope. o Wake surfing - A tow sport that involves the use of a surf board that is propelled by the wake of the vessel. The participant may or may not temporarily grasp a tow rope to start the towing process. o Water Tubing - A tow sport that involves the use of an inflatable device. The tow rope may be attached to the device or grasped by the participant. o Parasailing – A tow sport that involves the use of a specially-designed parachute known as a parasail. The tow rope is attached to the parasail.

White water Sports: Vessel was traveling in white water “rapids” where the water conditions were rough and the current very strong (Class 3+).

None: At the time of the incident, vessel was not being used for any activity (e.g., marina fire; an unoccupied vessel was struck by another vessel; etc.)

Other (describe): If the activity does not fit any of the descriptions above, enter another term that best describes it.

OPERATION AT TIME OF ACCIDENT (How the vessel was being operated at the time of the incident)

At Anc hor: Vessel was kept stationary by use of a heavy weight attaching the hull of the vessel to the bottom of the body of water.

Being Towed: Vessel was being towed by another vessel.

Changing Direction: The course of the vessel’s direction was changing.

Changing Speed: The propulsion (movement) of the vessel was changing, either faster or slower.

Cruising: Vessel was proceeding in a normal manner, unrestricted, with an absence of drastic changes in engine speed or direction of travel.

Docking: Vessel was being guided into a dock (e.g., pier, wharf, etc.).

Drifting: Vessel was under way, but proceeding over the bottom without use of engines, oars or sails; being carried along only by the tide, current, or wind.

Fueling: Vessel was in the process of being fueled just prior to the incident. A fire, explosion, sinking or other occurrence involving the vessel, if the vessel, its installed or associated equipment or appendages failed, malfunctioned, or otherwise caused or contributed to the incident or casualty. A vessel could be docked, moored, or anchored.

Idling: Vessel’s engine was running only to sustain its running.

Launching: Vessel was physically being put into the water.

Leaving Dock: Vessel was in the process of leaving a dock (e.g., pier, wharf, etc.).

Making Repairs: Vessel was being repaired.

Moored: Vessel was securely moored (fastened with cables and/or lines) to a buoy or anchored vessel.

Paddling: Vessel was propelled by using paddles (similar to oars except shorter, sometimes double-ended, and used vertically rather than horizontally).

Rac ing: Vessel was in a competition of speed, against an objective criterion. Competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time.

Retrieving: Vessel was being removed from the water by means of a ramp, dock, or lift.

Rowing: Vessel was propelled by using oars (long, slender wooden shafts shaped into a round handle at one end and a flat blade at the other).

Sailing: Vessel was being navigated using the wind as the sole means of propulsion.

Starting Engine: Vessel’s engine was in the process of being started..

Tied to Dock: Vessel was securely tied to a fixed structure (e.g., dock, pier, wharf, etc.).

Towing another Vessel: Vessel was engaged in towing another vessel.

Towing, Water Sports: Vessel was engaged in towing a tuber/skier.

Other (describe): If the operation does not fit any of the descriptions above, enter another term that best describes it.