JULY-AUGUST 2014 | VOL. 29 NO. 4 SCA National Association of State Boating Law Administrators NATIONAL small craft advisory RECREATIONAL BOATING Insights into SURVEY the survey RESULTS

NEW Instructor COLUMN DEBUTS SCA 4 small craft advisory The official publication of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

President Herb Angell

Vice President Eleanor Mariani

Treasurer Stephanie Westherington

Past President Toby Velazquez

Members-at-Large Mark Brown Tom Guess 10 Darren Rider Departments Executive Editor John Johnson, CAE 2 from the HELM

Editors-at-Large 4 nasbla NEWS Tom Hayward Ron Sarver, CAE 8 INSTRUCTORS’ corner

Managing Editor Kimberly Jenkins 22 boating BRIEFS

Copy Editors Joseph McCullough Fred Messmann

Creative Director Rolando Zerquera Angstrom Graphics 20 Circulation Director Sam Lynch Editorial Offices 1648 McGrathiana Parkway, Suite 360 features Lexington, KY 40511 Phone: 859.225.9487 Fax: 859.231.6403 10 Highlights from the 2012 National E-mail: [email protected] Recreational Boating Survey Coast Guard statistician provides summary About the Cover of comprehensive survey Results from the 2012 National Recreational Boating Survey, a massive boating data collection project spanning 14 Breaking down the numbers nearly 20 months, were released earlier this year. The NASBLA committee explores survey findings survey is the product of a multi-year partnership effort led by the U.S. Coast Guard and presents a collection of on exposure hours new recreational boating data that is expected to be useful in measuring boating activity and safety. 20 Tell me more Staff photo/John Malatak Helpful Q&A about the survey

©Small Craft Advisory (ISSM: 1066-2382) 28 Advocates inducted into Published bimonthly by the National Association Boating Safety Hall of Fame of State Boating Law Administrators, National nonprofit recognizes two boating 1648 McGrathiana Parkway, Suite 360 safety champions Lexington, KY 40511 (six issues).

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elmfrom the Eleanor Mariani John Johnson, CAE H NASBLA Vice President NASBLA CEO

Survey aims to help improve boating program

fter a slow start, the boating The surveys then provide estimates for the boaters that is harder to identify than those community now has two National hours spent in a particular boat type in order with vessels currently registered in A Recreational Boating Surveys to to get to the long-awaited estimate of Connecticut. I also intend to spend time to digest…..not to mention some new “exposure hours” or the total number of better understand the impact of the 2012 terminology. The surveys were completed hours persons are aboard a boat in use out on Boating Casualty Numbers and Ratios per by the U.S. Coast Guard in an effort to the water and further calculate “risk ratios” 100 Million Exposure Hours and what that assess the efficiency and effectiveness for each state. Risk ratios are the number of means for the numerous fatal accidents that of the Recreational Boating Safety deaths and casualties per 100 million (boat- occur in Connecticut on vessels that are not Grant program and other programs in person) exposure hours. The USCG and registered, the operators of which are not reducing boating-related deaths and others anticipate that accident rates required to take a boating safety class. injuries from accidents and to improve (typically, the number of accidents/100,000 the quality of the boating experience for registered vessels) would be more This edition of Small Craft Advisory focuses the country’s boaters. meaningful if they could be equated to the on the 2012 survey and will help boating number of hours the boat was actually used safety professionals, over time, better Much of the information is new and on the water, versus if the boat is “used” at a interpret the data and understand how it can expected to be useful in measuring boating marina and never leaves the dock. help their programs. These articles also offer activity and safety, along with improved important cautionary notes about the limits quality of the data gathered. The surveys Some of the analyses are reported down to of the data and the survey findings, and the begin by assessing the population the state level, at least for most states and dangers of making comparisons and dynamics of the boating community and Puerto Rico, but many of the results are inappropriately contrasting the nuances of further determine what types and sizes of regionalized. the two distinctly different, consecutive boats are being used. The information national surveys. This is one edition that gathered includes how many people It behooves each boating law administrator you will want to read cover to cover and participate in boating, the numbers, types and other boating safety professionals to keep on-hand as you begin to digest, process and sizes of vessels owned in different make themselves aware of the analyses that and utilize the results of the National regions of the country, how often vessels are presented in these reports and to become Recreational Boating Survey. ❃ are used, and more. familiar with the terminology. The terminology includes terms such as “Boat- Editor’ss Note:: With Eleanor’sEleanor’s By including questions about non-registered Person Hours” and “Recreational Boating involvementt with thethe Engineering, vessels, the surveys were able to Risk Ratios” and “Boating Days”. I, for one, Reportingg & Analysiss Committeee as approximate the numbers of canoes, kayaks am excited about gaining a better a pastt committeee memberr andd past and rowboats/inflatables owned in the understanding of how many boats are Boardd liaison too thee committee, United States, the number of hours per day actually owned in my home state of NASBLANASBLA Presidentt HerbHerb Angelll asked they are used, and the average number of Connecticut. Since I know the number of NASBLANASBLA Vicee Presidentt EleanorEleanor passengers on these craft. Even though this registered craft, I can finally get an Marianii too layy thee coursee forr thisthis data is tabulated by region, it is potentially approximation of how many non-registered issue’ss From thee Helm. powerful information that has been elusive vessels might be out there. This information to many state agencies. will help with outreach to this group of

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email: [email protected] I 866-408-6372 S-933 0114 News

Join us for the 55th NASBLA joins prestigious ● Engage in cooperative efforts with NASBLA Conference credentialing organization allied organizations to achieve NASBLA's vision of the Recreational NASBLA is now a member of the Institute Boating Professional for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), a Certification Program; professional membership association that ● Nurture an innovative culture leading provides education, networking and other to increased quality programs and resources for organizations and individuals services to meet the needs of the who work in and serve the credentialing national boating program; industry. ICE is a leading developer of ● Deliver programs to state and federal standards for both certification and recreational boating employees and certificate programs and it is both a employers to improve their provider of and a clearinghouse for understanding and acceptance of information on trends in certification, test professional certification; development and delivery, assessment- ● Achieve national recognition of the based certificate programs and other NASBLA brand and overall value; and information relevant to the credentialing ● Ensure adequate resources and community. structure (organization, staffing and Registration is now open for the 2014 volunteers) are available to achieve NASBLA Annual Conference. This year's ICE advances credentialing through strategic objectives and sustainable event will be held Oct. 16-19 in picturesque education, standards, research and growth of the Recreational Boating Bar Harbor, Maine. advocacy to ensure competence across Professional Certification Program. professions and occupations. From a The NASBLA Annual Conference is a strategic prospective, NASBLA will now be combination learning conference, annual better positioned to: Report Operation Dry Water business meeting, committee meeting, results workshop, learning lab and colleague roundtable event for state recreational Thank you to all the law enforcement boating safety professionals and others in agencies and boating safety partners who the RBS community. showed their support and participated in Operation Dry Water 2014! More than 550 Every year, the annual conference provides law enforcement agencies and USCG units focused learning sessions, thought- from all 56 U.S. states and territories registered provoking speakers, an expansive expo hall, to participate in the three-day event. and plenty of networking opportunities. We hope everyone had a safe and successful Operation Dry Water weekend. It was obvious from the number of registered

4 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory foundation to work from in conducting NASBLA appoints boating accident investigations," said new board member Darren Rider, boating law administrator with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. "They'll have more confidence in conducting investigations because they'll have a better background."

To take the course, visit www.nasbla.org/NavRules. agencies and the amount of news coverage that law enforcement was out in force over the weekend, raising awareness with recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence and removing boaters from the water who chose to boat under the influence — keeping everyone else safe.

Now it is time for participating agencies to gather data from the weekend's efforts and The NASBLA Executive Board welcomes report it to NASBLA to help determine the Oklahoma Boating Law Administrator Mark success of this year's campaign. A convenient Brown to the nonprofit's governing body. online report form allows information to be Following the recent resignation of Kevin submitted electronically. It is important to Bergersen, who was serving as NASBLA's submit this information as soon as possible. If treasurer when he left Arizona Game & you have any questions concerning Fish to pursue a new career, NASBLA Operation Dry Water, contact Hannah President Herb Angell appointed Stephanie Helsby at [email protected]. Weatherington, Arkansas' boating law administrator, to fill the treasurer position through the 2014 annual conference. This Online navigation course left a member-at-large position open. now available Brown was selected to fill the position of member-at-large (term expires in 2015) NASBLA has launched its online Navigation vacated by Weatherington. Rules for Marine Law Enforcement Officers Instructor development course. Consisting of three units, this online workshop scheduled for Magazine lands training will teach marine law enforcement Dec. 7-10 prestigious award officers how to apply the navigation rules when taking enforcement action and NASBLA invites recreational boating Small Craft Advisory, the official investigating boating-related accidents. safety instructors to attend the publication of the National Association of Recreational Boating Safety Instructor State Boating Law Administrators, has This program was created by NASBLA and Development Workshop being offered by been recognized with an award from produced under a grant from the Sport Fish its Boat Operations and Training the annual Awards for Publication Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which is program. Taking place Dec. 7-10, 2014, in Excellence Competition (APEX). administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Jacksonville, Florida, the four-day program can be taken on your computer or certificate program will cover NASBLA’s any mobile device. education standards, the ANSI development process, the new Basic The course fee is $95. After passing the Boating Knowledge Standard and course, an officer can immediately print out a NASBLA’s Methods of Instruction. NASBLA Navigation Rules Online Course Completion Certificate. Tuition is $625 for the four-day workshop. NASBLA has negotiated a special room rate of "This course is outstanding! Officers who $83 per night (plus taxes). For more complete this training receive a solid information, visit nasbla.org/MOI.

(Continued on page 6)

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 5 News

Small Craft Advisory received the 2014 APEX Award of Excellence in the One to Two Person-Produced Magazines, Journals & Tabloids category.

Created in 1988, APEX is an international competition for writers, editors, publications staff and communicators in corporate, nonprofit and independent settings.

For this year’s competition, judges evaluated nearly 2,100 entries, presenting 832 Awards of Excellence recognizing exceptional entries in 122 categories.

NASBLA to participate in Run & Ride to Remember for 2nd year

Fund. It includes a 5K race on Oct. 11 Coast Guard on matters related to and 55- and 30-mile bike rides on Oct. 12. recreational boating safety. NASBLA director of membership The Department of Homeland Security services Sam Lynch and NASBLA made seven appointments to NBSAC technology guru Cal Lawton will again this year, with four new members and anchor the NASBLA Watermen in the three reappointments: Ride & Run to Remember, and they hope to add participants to the team. Manufacturers of boats and "We are looking for officers to join the associated equipment team, as NASBLA has national reach Anthony Viggiano — Autotether Inc. that no other non-government Dave Marlowe — Brunswick organization has. We're looking for 13 Corporation (reappointment) runners/riders to round us out to 15. Wayne Burdick — Beneteau Riders are not required to run, and runners are not required to ride," said Lawton. Officials responsible for state For more information, visit boating safety programs www.nasbla.org/watermen. Dave Dahms — Idaho Tim Dunleavy — New Hampshire Boating law administrators Representatives of recreational selected for national boating organizations The NASBLA Watermen will again be advisory panel Chris Stec — American Canoe participating in the National Law Association (reappointment) Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund's NASBLA is proud to announce that two Tom Dogan — National Boating Ride & Run to Remember, a fun, boating law administrators — Dave Dahms Federation (reappointment) ❃ community-oriented athletic event (Idaho) and Tim Dunleavy (New designed to honor the contribution Hampshire) — have been selected to and sacrifice law enforcement officers serve on the National Boating Safety make every day and encourage Advisory Council. The council was community support for the National established by the Federal Boat Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Safety Act of 1971 to advise the U.S.

6 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 27 David Durfee Lead Instructor BOAT Program Instructors CORNER’ Instructing as leadership

his column is geared toward the The foundation of the Boat Operations and Every course is a leadership challenge. instructors of NASBLA’s Boat Training (BOAT) program is our instructors. Identifying the strengths of the instructor TOperations and Training (BOAT) We place a lot of emphasis on the practical cadre starts when modules are assigned. program. It will serve as a place to share our exercises, and we often forget that our Lead instructors attempt to balance the experiences, leadership, and best practices primary tool of instruction is leadership. course delivery; high-energy instructors get with the entire maritime first responder Standing in front of a group of 30 can be longer modules while less dynamic community. intimidating, especially since we are not instructors may teach shorter modules. We trained as public speakers. Rather, we are team teach and allow anyone to share professional first responders sharing our relevant stories for multiple points of view. skills and knowledge. It can be easy to forget This creates dialogue rather than a one-way that we are creating an open forum to lecture. We do not deliver monologues, facilitate the training environment, not recite lesson plans, or read the simply delivering a PowerPoint (which PowerPoint; rather, we facilitate the could be downloaded). training, working to engage the students by using our team model. When I first taught a BOAT course, I was more nervous than I had expected to be. I As instructors, we lead the discussion to knew the material, but I had not presented keep it relative to the topic. We also give it in a formal setting. Reminding myself students the opportunity to learn from our that leadership was the key, after a few mistakes. Do not worry if the classroom slides, I felt much more comfortable. portion does not resemble a traditional Our “break-in” instructors often share the learning environment. We use multiple same nervousness, but we have not let one techniques to engage adult learning styles. fail. To help, we team teach as they lead the classroom discussion. It is normal for new The presentation skills required to succeed instructors to feel nervous before a course. with NASBLA’s Boat program are honed Remember, as an instructor, we are chosen throughout each course, we are continually to instruct because we have firsthand getting better. Our instructor cadre is experience that is valuable to share with expanding with accredited entities. the students.

8 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory We are a part of NASBLA because we chose to lead the maritime first responder community. This column is for instructors that choose to contribute their ideas, experiences, and best practices with the entire first responder community.

As instructors, we are charting a new course, and this column is another opportunity for us to share our knowledge. If you have information you’d like to share, please contact Kimberly Jenkins, Small Craft Advisory editor, for details on how to submit an article. You can reach her at [email protected] or 859.225.9487. ❃

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 9 By Dr. Philippe Gwet Mathematical Statistician Program Management Branch Boating Safety Division Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety U.S. Coast Guard

The “Nuts and Bolts” HIGHLIGHTS of the 2012 Survey

The 2012 National Recreational Boating Survey (NRBS), a massive boating data OF FINDINGS collection project spanning nearly 20 months, was completed in May 2013. It began with a “boat survey” of U.S. households in 2011 to gather information FROM THE on the number and types of registered and unregistered boats that they owned, and ended with a “participant survey” of U.S. residents in 2013 to collect information on COAST GUARD who participated in any recreational boating activities during 2012.

Between those two data collection efforts, a 2012 separate monthly “trip survey,” optimized to gather accurate exposure hours, was conducted for 2012. It used a sample of recreational boats identified in the boat NATIONAL survey to collect information from respondents about boat trips that they were a part of during the month prior to their RECREATIONAL interview. Trip survey respondents reported 2012 NRBS Schedule and Completed Interviews BOATING Boat Survey – late Aug.-Dec. 2011 – 32,568 mail and telephone interviews

Trip Survey – Feb. 2012-early Feb. 2013 SURVEY – 40,406 telephone and web interviews Participant Survey – early Feb.-mid- May 2013 –17,322 telephone interviews

10 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory details about the type of boat they used, trip aboard boats were considered duration, and boating-related expenditures Household recreational boaters; those who used they incurred. boats only at the dock were not included Participation in the calculations. The addition of a monthly trip survey, in Recreational sample sizes large enough to produce state- Like its household results, the Midwest, level statistics, and improved Boating at 29.1 percent, also had the highest methodologies for gathering exposure individual boating participation rate The NRBS participant survey asked all hour and other data in the 2012 NRBS are among the regions; but the South had the responding households if anyone in the some of the features that set it apart largest number of boating participants— household had spent time on a recreational from the 2011 version of the project. 26.3 million—representing over a third boat in 2012. of all boating participants in the U.S. Regarding the collection of exposure hours, The highest individual participation Nationally, it turned out that 27.3 percent, for example, the data used to calculate rates, according to the survey, included or 32.3 million, of the 118.1 million U.S. the 2011 statistics were based on a 12- Maine (47.7 percent), Minnesota (45.7 households had a member who boated in month recall period, whereas the recall percent), North Dakota (44.6 percent), 2012. The Midwest region’s household period for respondents in 2012 was and Alaska (43.9 percent). participation of 31 percent, however, reduced to 30 days or less. Moreover, the surpassed that of each of the other three practical considerations that had made it The survey also showed that about 45 regions and the nation. necessary to start the collection of 2011 percent of boating participants across the boating participation data before the end nation in 2012 were female, with little of the 2011 boating season meant that variation across regions. some respondents reported their boating activities for the full year while others reported only partial information.

22.2 million recreational boats are owned in the U.S. About 43 percent of them are unregistered.

Although the partial-year data were Household Participation in Recreational “corrected” statistically to represent the Boating by Region full year (2011), the adjustment resulted in a loss of precision in the Individual Participation in Recreational participation statistics. So, while the Boating by Region 2011 and the 2012 NRBS each Individual produced valid measures of boating exposure and participation, the Participation Exposure Hours results from these two years should in Recreational not be compared to each other due to by Region the substantial changes in the 2012 Boating Nationwide, the “average” boat was taken survey methodology. The NRBS participant survey also out on 11.3 trips in 2012. Canoes were generally taken out on the water less often The findings here represent just some of gathered information about how many than other boat types (8.6 trips), while what can be gleaned from the data individuals—both adults and children— pontoon boats were taken out most often amassed in the 2012 project. went out on the water on different types and sizes of recreational boats in 2012. (14.9 trips). On average in 2012, a boat was For purposes of the survey, only out on the water for 5.7 hours, with 2.4 individuals who went out on the water persons aboard.

(Continue on page 12)

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 11 According to the The presence of visual distress signals on survey, all boats About 45 percent of boating participants across the board for the boat trips varied by region, nation in 2012 were female. logged 3.6 billion USCG photos ranging from 42 percent of trips in the boat-person-hours Midwest to 74 percent in the Northeast, a nationally in significant difference. Across all four 2012—“boat- regions, few trips had EPIRBs, or distress person hours” radio beacons. being the total number of hours that people were Background on the aboard a boat in use out on the National Recreational water. Boating Survey Powerboats were the most used For decades, the National Recreational type of boat, Boating Safety (RBS) Program’s measures logging 2.04 of effectiveness have compared the actual billion or close to survey were also asked to report on other number of deaths or the actual number of 60 percent of all boat-person-hours. aspects of their trips, including what casualties (deaths and injuries) in all safety equipment they carried on board. recreational boats to the quantity of There were regional variations in the numbered (registered) recreational boats number of boat-person or “exposure” The survey data revealed that a large (deaths or casualties per 100,000 registered hours logged in 2012. About 1.6 billion majority of boating trips across the country boats). Regretfully, we have known that use boating hours were logged in the South, in 2012 were on boats with a fire of the latter figure was flawed. where, on average in 2012, a boat was extinguisher on taken out for 13 trips of 6 hours each. board, as well as The Midwest came in next, reporting “other safety over 991 million boating hours and 11 equipment,” which trips of 5 hours per boat. included equipment Approximately 521 and 479 million for reaching boat-person hours were logged in the someone in the Northeast and the West regions, water or a sound respectively, according to the survey. signal such as a horn. Additionally, two-thirds of trips Safety Equipment – in the Midwest and more than 80 What’s Onboard? percent of trips in each of the other Besides the number of people on board and regions were on the number of hours their boat was used, boats that carried a boaters responding to the 2012 NRBS trip first-aid kit.

While the count of casualties and deaths included those occurring in both registered and unregistered (mostly canoes and kayaks) boats, the number of boats used for comparison was restricted to those that are registered. Moreover, we were not able to determine whether the registered boats were actually used in any given year.

In a 2000 Audit of the Performance Measure for the Recreational Boating Safety Program, the DOT Office of the Inspector General noted that the “Coast Guard has not established criteria for monitoring the effectiveness of the States’ RBS Programs;” and a 2005 Program

12 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory Assesment Rating Tool Review conducted committee (SAC) and a group of partners Because the partners of the COP group by the Office of Management and Budget representing the boating industry, were data users (and therefore noted that the Coast Guard needs to academia, and other interest groups, known stakeholders), its members were given the “normalize existing performance as the Collaboratory of Partners (COP). opportunity to describe their data needs, measures” for the National RBS Program. which served as a basis for questionnaire The SAC included members from the development. The SAC, on the other hand, To accomplish these directives, a new USCG Boating Safety Division, Survey was the group of scientists and boating National Recreational Boating Survey Sampling Inc., Michigan State research experts whose role was to needed to be designed and implemented. University, National Marine develop methodological guidelines for The new survey would capture state- Manufacturers Association, Applied efficient survey implementation. The specific data for measuring the Research Services, and the University outcome was a streamlined list of effectiveness of state programs as well as of Michigan Institute for Social questions to be used in the revised capture participation data to compare to Research. The organizations survey questionnaire and a report of key the number of casualties to so that we represented in the COP included the methodological principles to guide the know how much participation is impacting USCG, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, survey design. the number of casualties as compared to West Marine, the National

The 2012 National Recreational Boating Survey shows that just over a quarter of U.S. households had a member who boated in 2012. the effectiveness of the many RBS Transportation Safety Board, the This overall collaborative effort resulted initiatives. This is similar to other forms of American Canoe Association, the in an extensive survey brimming with transportation, such as motor vehicles, National Safe Boating Council, the Ohio useful information. It is hoped that many where they measure the number of deaths Department of Natural Resources, the people will find it valuable, and we will per 100 million vehicle miles travelled. A National Association of State Boating Law follow up with additional surveys. new Boating Survey was thus created and Administrators, the Recreational Boating is proving to be of great value to the and Fishing Foundation, the U.S. Army recreational boating community. It was Corps of Engineers, the USCG Auxiliary, For more information first fully implemented in 2012. the States Organization For Boating Access, BoatUS, the National Marine Many more results can be found in the The 2012 National Recreational Boating Manufacturers Association, the Florida National Recreational Boating Survey Survey is the result of a multi-year Fish and Wildlife Conservation 2012 summary report that was issued by partnership effort led by the Coast Guard Commission, U.S. Sailing, the Marine the Coast Guard in April 2014. The report, and aimed to redesign the collection of Retailers Association of America, the along with the survey questionnaires, recreational boating data. To be as Marine Industries Association of Florida, technical reports, and micro-data files, can inclusive and thorough as possible, the MBIA Insurance Corporation, Michigan be downloaded from the Boating Safety redesign project was conducted under the State University, and the Recreational Division’s website at auspices of a scientific advisory Marine Research Center. www.uscgboating.org. ❃

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 13 BREAKING By Dr. Deborah Gona NASBLA Research Consultant

A CLOSER LOOK AT EXPOSURE HOURS FROM THE 2012 NATIONAL RECREATIONAL BOATING SURVEY Tamara Terry Chair, NASBLA Engineering, Reporting & D0WN Analysis Committee THE NUMBERS

f you love statistics, then you’ll find Whatever your predisposition for plenty to ogle in the U.S. Coast Guard’s numbers, it’s worth taking a closer look The expectations Irecently released summary report of at the 2012 figures. Like mosaic tiles, results from the 2012 National Recreational they’ve been, and will continue to be, surrounding exposure Boating Survey (NRBS). If you loathe them, pieced together in different ways to Of all the numbers to come from the 2012 then you’ll probably be inclined to shield create pictures of recreational boating NRBS, recreational boating exposure hours your eyes from the collection generated by that inevitably will invite varying were among the most anticipated. That was, the NRBS trio of survey components. inferences about boating participation, in part, because the 2012 set of figures boater behaviors, and boat usage. would go beyond the national and regional estimates produced by the 2011 NRBS to The 2012 NRBS numbers In the run-up to the release of the data and include exposure hour estimates all the way Coast Guard report for this round of the come from three survey down to the state level. But it was the NRBS, a charge team of NASBLA’s components: possibility of using those exposure hours to Engineering, Reporting & Analysis more accurately quantify and compare Committee (ERAC) spent time becoming A Boat Survey gathered detail on owned recreational boating “risk” that fueled familiar with many of the 2012 mosaic (registered and unregistered) boats in the U.S.; interest in them before the first survey had tiles, learning how they were produced provided the basis for estimating the number even been conducted. and connected, whether their of boats in a given state; and served as the representations would be true-to-life, recruiting tool for Trip Survey panel members. For years, recreational boating casualty and and what they’re likely to be used for fatality rates have been one set of markers over time. In this article and “Tell me used to evaluate boating safety. The rates A Trip Survey gathered monthly detail on more about the 2012 NRBS” (pp. 20-21), as have been figured by taking the numbers of boat usage from boat-owning panel members well as future products and forums, we’ll boating injuries or fatalities (numerator) identified through the Boat Survey, and lean heavily toward using “layperson and dividing them by the reported number provided the data used to calculate speak” in sharing what we’ve learned. of state-registered boats (denominator). To exposure hours nationally, regionally, and at allow comparisons of the rates across time So, while the information we pass along the state level. The trip detail was based on and jurisdictions, the results typically have shouldn’t require you to be a mosaic respondents’ recall, not trip diaries. been multiplied by a factor of 100,000 to artist, we hope it will help you become a standardize them. more discerning observer of the pictures A separate Participant Survey gathered of recreational boating that are being information on household and individual adult But over time, and the span of two national created—starting with the 2012 recreational boating safety strategic plans, and child participation in recreational boating portrayal of exposure hours and risk on the call went out to “fix” the fractions used and activities, and awareness of safe boating the water. practices. No exposure hours were generated to calculate the rates, and especially to “fix the denominator problem” in them. While from this survey. efforts were already under way to improve the collection of the accident report data

14 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory If the intent is that the effectiveness of recreational boating programs, campaigns, and services designed to reduce accidents and deaths will one day be measured by a “risk ratio” based on an exposure-hour standard, then it’s probably a good idea for anyone involved in developing, implementing, or researching these programs, campaigns, and services to understand what that’s about. Let’s break it down.

First, what is an “exposure hour”?

By definition, an exposure hour is one hour of one day of one person’s time spent on the water participating in a recreational boating activity.

But for purposes of the 2012 NRBS and understanding the data collected from its trip survey respondents, what did “time spent on the water” really mean? used in the top half of the fraction, the But beyond the anticipation of being able to Coast Guard’s continued use of the number use exposure hour estimates—and other Exposure hours’ estimates produced from of state-registered boats in the bottom half NRBS data—to create more solid measures the 2012 NRBS trip survey interviews were was targeted as a “problem” for various for objectives in the national strategic plan, based on people’s reported time on owned reasons, not the least of which are the states’ was the prospect of being able to make boats—both registered and unregistered— different registration requirements. One broader and deeper improvements to and time spent on the boats while they were promising fix was the collection and use of other recreational boating safety being operated. But what about the use of exposure hours as a new denominator. The performance measures. rental boats and the time boaters spent at presumption was that exposure hours the dock? would represent a more meaningful In the 2012 NRBS report, the Coast Guard relationship to actual risk on the water than readily acknowledges that over the years The collection of rental boat data was part boat registration totals. As a bonus, they different performance audits of the national of the original NRBS plan. But, after would make the casualty and fatality RBS program have found weaknesses in determining rental boats would have a rate calculations more comparable to several areas, among them the lack of solid marginal impact on the total number of those used in other transportation and criteria for monitoring the states’ RBS exposure hours, the Coast Guard recreation modes. program efforts and reliable, consistent ultimately couldn’t justify the extra data to conduct those evaluations. The effort needed to collect reliable So, although the Coast Guard had set report describes several actions the Coast information on their use. And while several goals for the NRBS on inception, Guard has taken or plans to take to meet “docked day” information was collected generating valid and reliable recreational the audits’ recommendations, including from the 2012 NRBS trip survey boating exposure hours from the survey the following: respondents, it was left out of the was at or near the top of every list exposure hour calculations because it describing its purpose. “…Over the next several years, the RBS wouldn’t match the conditions for Program plans to utilize exposure-based recreational boating accidents reported risk ratios as a primary performance by the states to the Coast Guard. That’s NRBS measurement goals criterion that will be employed to evaluate relevant in light of the Coast Guard’s use identified by the the effectiveness of efforts to reduce of exposure hours as the basis for accidents and fatalities…” (National Coast Guard calculating and presenting what it has Recreational Boating Survey 2012 labeled in the 2012 NRBS summary report ● Exposure hours Report, p. 9) ● Boating participation and boat ownership as “risk ratios” for deaths and casualties at the national, regional, and individual state ● Boating safety awareness and behaviors And that creates one more expectation about levels. Those ratios are reported out in Table ● Economic impact of recreational boating exposure hours. ● Other boat statistics 54 of the 2012 report (pp. 82-83). (Continued on page 16)

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 15 What is a “risk ratio” as used in the 2012 NRBS summary report?

It’s intended as a measurement of potential “risk”—potential exposure to accident, injury or death--for a given group, and it’s expressed as a fraction. The group could be the nation, a region, a state, a boat type or some other unit.

To allow like-for-like comparisons between groups, the risk ratios presented in the 2012 NRBS summary report are standardized to 100 million exposure hours.

The result of the:

Actual number of events for the group (accidents, injuries, deaths)

------divided by the------

Estimate of exposure hours for the group they had spent on the water in a given goal through statistical sampling—that time period, the number of hours that the is, a sample of boats and their owners multiplied by a factor of 100 million exposure boaters reported they had spent on the would be surveyed in each state. Through a hours. water on the days they boated, and the series of phases, the target universe of “all number of persons reported to have been on owned boats” was whittled down—first to For example, in 2012, Ohio had 11 events board the boat on the days they boated. the subset that would be selected for the NRBS boat survey and then to the even (boating deaths). The 2012 NRBS estimated narrower subset that would be used to 83 million total exposure hours for Ohio capture exposure data from the NRBS trip boaters in 2012. Core of the Exposure survey respondents. Hourse Calculation Ohio’s 2012 fatality “risk ratio” was calculated But in order to get back to the original by dividing the number of deaths (11) by the The number of Boater Days times target and create those national estimates of state’s exposure hours’ estimate (83 million), exposure hours from the much smaller set and then multiplying by the factor of 100 of boat trip respondents’ data, there had to The number of Boater Hours per Day times million to equal … be some statistical compensation for not having all boats and boat owners in the The number of People on Board the Boat per Day 13 boating fatalities for every 100 million sample —whether that was due to the survey’s sampling structure, invitees exposure hours. declining to participate, or participants Before information could even be collected dropping off along the way for other to plug into that three-part formula, reasons. A complex data weighting scheme though, an intricate process was used to with adjustments was used in the And how were the figure out which boats and boat owners reconstruction process. would even be selected to participate in exposure hours the survey. The use of a weighting system and series of adjustments isn’t unusual for surveys like estimated? When the Coast Guard set out to collect this. But their use does rely heavily on the and calculate national estimates of assumption that the boaters who end up Calculating the exposure hours eventually exposure hours, it wanted the estimates responding to the survey have used in those ratios was a complicated to reflect the use of all boats owned in characteristics and behaviors similar to matter. But the core elements boil down the U.S. But the cost of surveying all boaters who weren’t selected for the survey to a formula that accounted for the boats would have been prohibitive. or who were selected but didn’t respond to number of days that boaters reported Instead, the Coast Guard achieved its the survey requests. That assumption about

16 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory non-respondents and the impact on the collection of exposure hours is worth Things to keep in mind So, what do the 2012 another look, both for purposes of when you’re interpreting evaluating the quality and validity of the exposure hour estimates from the 2012 NRBS, and for casualty or fatality rates estimates and risk refining how exposure hours might be that use the … collected in the future. ratios tell us? Number of state-registered boats as Apart from the table of casualty-related But other factors that may vary widely the denominator in the fraction figures, the 2012 NRBS report offers a from year-to-year or place-to-place could summary of the “average risk ratios” for the also have an impact on the total number of ● If two states have an equal number of U.S., comparisons of the regional figures, exposure hours, their use in the Coast injuries or fatalities, the state that and identification of states with the Guard’s ratio calculations, and in figuring registers all boats will show a lower “highest risk” and “lowest risk” of casualties out what the results of those calculations of casualty or fatality rate than the state and deaths based on those for which 2012 risk really mean. Climate swings, that registers only a portion of its boats-- ratio calculations were made and environmental changes, culture, and the not necessarily because the former’s presented. But it doesn’t spend a lot of economy, among many other variables, “risk” for injury or death is really lower, time in that discussion and probably for could affect exposure hour computations but because the denominator used in its good reason. While the exposure hour and ratio interpretations. rate calculation will be larger. estimates and ratios calculated for the nation, four regions, and individual states ● It could be misleading to compare are interesting, there are limits to the casualty or fatality rates between states conclusions that can be drawn from them that have longer boating seasons and right now, for a number of reasons. states that have much shorter seasons-- even if the number of registered boats in For example, the national and regional each is similar, their average number of exposure hour estimates and ratios boat use hours will be different. generated by the 2011 NRBS and 2012 NRBS can’t legitimately be compared because of methodology differences Number of exposure hours as the between the two surveys as described in denominator in the fraction the 2012 report and by Dr. Philippe Gwet of the U.S. Coast Guard in his ● Boating injuries and deaths are assigned article “Highlights of Findings from to the states where they actually the Coast Guard 2012 National occurred. Exposure hours from the Recreational Boating Survey” (pp. 10- NRBS are assigned to the states on the 13). But, even if there’d been no Do exposure hours basis of where the boats were differences in the methods used for the have a more accurate registered or the owners resided at the 2011 and 2012 versions of the NRBS, time of the survey, not on the basis of there’d still be reason for caution in connection with risk? where the boats were operated. For suggesting year-to-year changes some states, that might not make much because those changes might not be In theory, gathering up the total number difference in the calculation of their statistically significant. of hours that boaters in a certain group casualty or fatality rates. But for states are actively on the water in a given time where a large proportion of boats used And for the states, the one year’s period should offer a more accurate on their waterways—and becoming worth of exposure hour estimates and estimate of their exposure to actual risk involved in accidents—are from out-of- ratios resulting from the 2012 NRBS on the water than just knowing the total state, the impact on their rates could does not make for a trend analysis. On number of registered boats for that be significant. the other hand, why three of the group. After all, not all boats are jurisdictions don’t have the year’s worth registered—there are state-to-state ● As averages based on the entire of casualty and death ratios to consider differences in registration population of boaters associated with because of a “large statistical error” in requirements—and not all boats are used some group (e.g., nation, state or boat their 2012 calculations, does make for an to the same extent, for seasonal and type), rates that use exposure hours important future analysis of the other reasons. But whether exposure aren’t necessarily stating the “risks” that measures themselves—that is, how do hours or registered boats are used as the would be experienced by an individual you resolve ratio calculations when either the exposure hours estimates or the basis for estimating risk and making boater. The average rate might overstate numbers of accidents themselves are too low comparisons, there are caveats risk for an operator who uses a well- to result in valid statistics for a state? associated with each. Some are equipped boat at slow speeds in described in “Things to keep in mind daylight and understate risk for an All that said, a first glimpse into the when you’re interpreting rates”. operator who uses a less well-equipped state-level ratios lends a few clues that boat at high speeds at night (Continued on page 18)

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 17 what would have been “concluded” about fatalities based on their registered boats- based rate alone. In a broad-brush comparison, states that presented what might be termed low rates using the registered boats measure generally also had low rates using the exposure hours’ calculation; the same generally can be said for states on the other end of the rate spectrum. But what if the rates were used to “rank order” the states? Turns out that for some states, a more marked difference would appear if comparisons were made between how they rank on their fatality rates based on registered boats and on their rates based on exposure hours. At least eight states

eventually could help answer questions at the core of expectations about using exposure hours to calculate casualty and

fatality rates: Do they really provide a more accurate and meaningful measure of “risk” in recreational boating?;andAre the “results” of exposure-based rates distinctly different from those based on the total number of registered boats?

State-level fatality rates based on 100 million exposure hours and on 100,000 registered boats are both available for 2012—the former from the 2012 NRBS and the latter from the Coast Guard’s 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics. Based on a preliminary examination of the figures, for many of the states for which 2012 exposure hour calculations could be made, there’s little apparent difference between those results and

would shift in their “rank order” by 10 or more places. Half of them would fare better using the exposure hours-based measure; half of them would fare better with the registered boats-based measure. What isn’t immediately clear is why?

It’s another question that deserves more attention in the continuing evaluation of the exposure findings from the 2012 NRBS—not just for getting a better handle on the meaning behind the current numbers and their relationships to the current registered boats-based measure, but also for figuring out what fine-tuning might need to be made to the next round of collections and calculations.

18 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory Continuing the exploration…

At the 91st meeting of the National Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, by main boat types, and evaluating Boating Safety Advisory Council in does have some positive aspects, other data, especially at the state-level, May 2014, Capt. Jonathan Burton, however. It should afford additional that didn’t receive as much or any Director of Inspections and time for more of the interested parties attention in the 2012 summary report. Compliance for the Coast Guard, to carefully examine the 2012 data, and The committee welcomes additional announced a postponement in the ultimately, it should help chart the input and insight from interested administration of the next NRBS, course of the next round of surveying. parties throughout this process, and which had been scheduled to get under readers can join in that discussion by e- way this year. The delay, due largely to ERAC will continue exploring the mailing [email protected] (subject line: funding uncertainties associated with exposure hour estimates, including ERAC) with your thoughts, comments, the reauthorization of the Sport Fish breakdowns of the state-level estimates and suggestions for analysis. ❃

Deborah Gona serves as committee staff to ERAC. Committee Chair Tamara Terry is Recreational Boating Accident Program Manager, Ohio Department of Natural Resourcesʼ Division of Watercraft. Both wish to acknowledge the significant time, effort, and valued expertise that all of ERACʼs team members have brought—and continue to bring—to the committeeʼs charge to evaluate the NRBS methodology and findings. Special thanks is extended to Dr. Philippe Gwet, U.S. Coast Guard, for his invaluable assistance and responsiveness to the teamʼs work, providing key data and resources for its use, as well as patient answers to the teamʼs many questions; and to Dr. L. Daniel Maxim, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, for his contributions to the teamʼs discussions on statistical and measurement issues and preliminary evaluations of exposure hours data, and for his ongoing efforts toward improvements in recreational boating data quality.

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 19 TELL ME moreABOUT THE 2012 NRBS

charge team of NASBLA’s its calculations in the report, the Coast So, while it might be tempting to try to Engineering, Reporting & Analysis Guard wanted to emphasize that the reduce the ratio to something a typical A Committee (ERAC) spent time number of boaters was taken into account, boater might experience in a year—like learning about the methodology not just the number of hours the boat was “x” accidents per 500 exposure hours behind the 2012 National Recreational operated. So, if two persons spent one in a state—the end result would be a Boating Survey well before the Coast hour on a boat, then the count wouldn’t flawed statistic. Guard’s summary report of findings hit the be one hour … it would be two boat- virtual street of the Internet person—or exposure—hours. (www.uscgboating.org). Some of what the Death or casualty “risk team learned is described in the article There is a reason for choosing an exposure ratios” weren’t reported “Breaking down the numbers: A closer look hours’ calculation that takes into account for three states. Table 54 at exposure hours from the 2012 National the number of boaters. Although the (pp. 82-83) of the summary Recreational Boating Survey” likelihood that a boat gets into an report says the problem (pp. 14-19), but other survey and report accident might just be a function of the details also caught members’ attention. number of hours the boat was operated, was an “unreliable number The following are based on some of the the more persons on board, the greater due to large statistical NRBS “how’s” and “why’s” that have potential consequences of the accident. error.” What does that emerged from team discussions to date. mean? (A note of appreciation to Dr. Philippe Gwet, U.S. Coast Guard, for participating in the The “risk ratios” in the Actually, that “unreliable number” ERAC team discussions and responding to 2012 NRBS summary report doesn’t mean the same thing for all three members’ questions and requests for are based on 100 million states, although they did have something clarification on matters of interest.) similar in 2012—either no recreational exposure hours. Such a boating deaths or just one death. large number! Can’t they be reduced to something One of the three, New Mexico, shows The terms “exposure hours” closer to what a boater “zero” exposure hours in Table 54, but and “boat-person hours” are might really experience in that’s because the estimate calculated from both used in the 2012 NRBS a given year? the trip survey was below 500,000 hours. summary report issued by Don’t do it! They’re meant to be a measure The estimate was determined to be the Coast Guard. Are they for a population as a whole, not a single “unreliable” and no “risk ratios” were different things? individual. Grouping by 100 million hours calculated for deaths (one in 2012) or compensates for “variance” in behaviors casualties (14 in 2012). Not for purposes of the NRBS. within the whole group. That methodology brings it closer to what’s used for But the issue was a little different for But exposure hour estimates can be measuring “risk” in other forms of the other two, Vermont and the District calculated in different ways. In describing transportation and recreation. of Columbia, and it’s an issue worth

20 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory comparable accuracy at the state level or, of days beyond two, then two days were in statistics-speak, the sample was allocated to randomly selected, by computer. In the achieve a “margin of error” of +/- 5 calculations of exposure hours, a percent for household-level estimates weighting “adjustment” was made to within each of the jurisdictions. compensate for the other days.

Since state-level data was For the NRBS trip survey, collected for both the NRBS apart from being placed into participant survey and the one of four regions, states NRBS trip survey, they can were also designated as be combined, right? “Northern” or “Southern.” Why was that? Don’t even attempt it! They’re two separate surveys that had different That was for sampling reasons and was purposes and different sampling frames. based on which states were identified as having longer boating seasons (“Southern”) or shorter seasons (“Northern”). How were the NRBS trip considering in discussions about the Trip survey panelists in Southern states meaning of “risk ratios” and possible survey panelists identified? were surveyed each month throughout refinements in the way they might be the year, while panelists in Northern They were recruited from among calculated in the future. Although valid states were surveyed every month participants in the boat survey. The boat estimates were calculated from the trip during the summer. In the winter, survey collected detail on registered and survey for exposure hours in each of panelists in the Northern states were unregistered boats from their owners. those jurisdictions, it was their zero surveyed in January for their boating deaths and low casualty counts that trips in the prior October through prevented the Coast Guard’s calculation December, and in April for their trips in of valid ratios. So, if a trip survey panelist January through March. had more than one boat, were they asked to report The 2012 summary report on how they used all of Where can I find all of the (Table 6, pp. 19-20) their boats during the background documents describes the sample sizes previous month? associated with the 2012 and completed interviews NRBS? for the participant survey No. Even though the boat survey part of the NRBS. Why identified all of the boats a trip survey At www.uscgboating.org/statistics/ were the target sample sizes panelist owned, if the panelist was survey.aspx, you can find the pretty similar across the contacted for the monthly survey, they questionnaires used for all three survey states? After all, there are were only asked to report boat trip components of the NRBS; the information for one of their boats. The methodology reports for the trip and some good sized differences information the panelist reported was in the numbers of registered participant surveys; and four micro-data used in calculating the exposure hours. files for 2012. For more detail specific to the boats across them. boat survey, see the 2011 files on that page.

Well, for one thing, the participant But if an NRBS trip survey At www.nasbla.org/ERAC, you can survey unlike the boat and trip — panelist took that boat out follow links to other survey-related survey components of the NRBS— for 10 days during the resources provided to the NASBLA ERAC wasn’t based on boats. It was based on month, they had to report charge team by the Coast Guard (e.g., an people a population-based survey to get — analysis prepared for the Office of at recreational boating participation in on the number of hours and Management and Budget on non- the 50 states, District of Columbia, and number of people on that response issues associated with the three Puerto Rico. It didn’t matter whether or boat for all of those days, NRBS survey components) and materials not the respondents owned a boat or right? developed as a result of the team’s registered a boat. discussions (e.g., a simplified version of No. Panelists were only asked questions the data weighting methodology used in The target sample sizes were relatively about two boating days. If a panelist took the NRBS trip survey). ❃ similar across the states to produce their boat out for 10 days or any number

July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 21 BOATING

Adm. Zukunft takes Commander since 2012. In this capacity, he Neffenger nominated as command of Coast Guard was the operational commander for all next USCG Vice BriefCoast Guard missions from the Rocky s Mountains west to the east coast of Africa. Commandant Zukunft will lead the largest component of the Department of Homeland Security, comprised of 41,700 active duty, 7,800 reserve and 8,300 civilian personnel as well as more than 31,000 volunteer Coast Guard auxiliarists.

US Coast Guard announces nonprofit grant awards for recreational boating safety

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the Adm. Paul Zukunft salutes during a change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Headquarters awarding of 24 competitive grants totaling in Washington on May 30, 2014. more than $4.8 million for recreational U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class boating safety initiatives. Patrick Kelley Fourteen national nonprofit organizations Admiral Paul F. Zukunft assumed command received cooperative agreement funding to as the 25th commandant of the Coast Guard advance the National Recreational Boating on May 30, relieving Adm. Bob Papp during Safety Strategic Plan objectives designed to a military ceremony. reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths on America's waterways and to “Admiral Papp’s leadership and resolve have facilitate a safe, enjoyable boating experience for the public. left an indelible mark on the service,” said U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger Zukunft. “The Coast Guard is more relieved Vice Admiral John Currier as Vice proficient, more capable and more resilient Grant recipients will receive funds for multiple endeavors, including increasing Commandant of the Coast Guard during a due to his contributions and I wish him fair change of watch ceremony on May 20. winds and following seas.” life jacket wear rates; standardizing national boating safety training courses; reducing alcohol-related boating fatalities; Prior to this, Vice Admiral Neffenger “To the men and women of the Coast Guard, served as the Deputy Commandant for I’m humbled to stand before you as your and conducting multiple media outreach safety campaigns. Operations, where he directed strategy, 25th Commandant,” said Zukunft. “You policy, resources and doctrine for the embody the world’s best Coast Guard.” The grant program is annually distributed employment of Coast Guard forces globally. by the U.S. Coast Guard from the federal He is a recognized expert in crisis Admiral Zukunft reports to Coast Guard management, port security, and oversight Headquarters from Alameda, Calif., where Sport Fishing Restoration and Boating Trust Fund apportionment. of the commercial maritime industry. He he served as the Coast Guard Pacific Area most notably served as the Deputy

22 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory National Incident Commander for the 2010 The video tells the real-life story of Miranda This set of 15 videos is available on a menu- BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the largest and Hanna Koger Udelhoven, who survived a driven DVD. To order, contact Janice Roff at and most complex in U.S. history. boating tragedy on Tustumena Lake in 2011. [email protected] or call 800.830.2268. "These remarkable young women and their A native of Elyria, Ohio, Neffenger was compelling account will help us reach teens commissioned in 1982 at Coast Guard Officer with potentially lifesaving information," said Education becomes Candidate School in Yorktown, Va., and has Joe McCullough, Education and Training mandatory for some vessel had a diverse career of operational and staff Coordinator and the project manager. The operators in Georgia assignments in emergency response, video is one of many educational products commercial maritime industry oversight and available through the Office of Boating Safety. Beginning July 1, completion of a boater general maritime law enforcement. He has education course became mandatory for all earned three Master’s degrees: in National vessel operators in Georgia born on or after Security and Strategic Studies from the New boating safety videos Jan. 1, 1998. Naval War College, in Public Administration now available from Harvard University’s Kennedy School "In an effort to provide a mechanism for of Government and in Business Management ensuring that Georgia boaters are from Central Michigan University. knowledgeable, boaters will be required to complete a boating education course," says DNR Lt. Col. Jeff Weaver, assistant director of New Alaska Office of Boating Law Enforcement. "After all, tragedy can Safety video wins Emmy happen quickly and making an effort to learn boating laws, rules and regulations can potentially save a life — including your own."

This new boater education requirement states that any person born on or after Jan. 1, Boat Ed has produced a brand-new series of 1998, that operates any motorized vessel on boating safety videos that promote learning the waters of the state must have completed while being fun to watch. These videos can a boat education course approved by the be used to supplement lessons in the Department prior to such operation. classroom setting. They will also be available Exemptions include: to students who take their state-approved ● A person licensed by the Coast Guard Cold Water Survivors, a new instructional boating safety training at boat-ed.com. as a master of a vessel; video from the Alaska Office of Boating ● A person operating on a private pond Safety, recently received an Emmy Award Each of the 15 videos in the series is about or lake; from the National Academy of Television four to five minutes long and focuses on ● A non-resident who has in his or her Arts and Sciences, Northwest Chapter at essential safety content. Some topics possession proof that he or she has their 51st annual award ceremony. included in this series are Rules of the completed a NASBLA-approved boater Waterways, Wearing Life Jackets, PWC education course or equivalency Developed for teens, the video reinforces the Safety, Aquatic Invasive Species and examination from another state. learning objectives of the Kids Don't Float Avoiding Accidents. Check out the full- Education program about cold-water length preview of each video at immersion and the importance of wearing life https://kalkomey.wistia.com/projects/9d8a6d (Continued on page 24) jackets when boating on Alaska's cold water. c74n. July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 23 BOATING

Longtime boating safety National Boating Safety Advisory Council The National Safe Boating Council and advocate honored by US (NBSAC) in 1990. He served two three-year Canadian Safe Boating Council partnered to Briefterms, during which time he never missed a support sthe event, part of the yearlong Coast Guard meeting. Wear It! campaign to promote boating safety and voluntary wear of life jackets. As a one-man “Tiger Team” under contract for the Boating Safety Program to investigate “I am amazed by the international support fatal boating accidents, Kiko’s boat design for Ready, Set, Wear It! and boating safety,” and construction expertise allowed him to said National Safe Boating Council piece together the information needed to Executive Director Rachel Johnson. “Thank determine the accident cause, which had you to our volunteers, partners and retail eluded other investigators. Kiko’s untiring sponsors for their dedication to making this devotion to the National Recreational event fun and heightening awareness of Boating Safety Program is most heartily boating safety.” commended and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast The previous world record of 5,774 CAPT F. Thomas Boross, chief of the U.S. Coast Guard. participants was set during last year's event. Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, Nearly 20,000 people have participated in presents Augusto “Kiko” Villalon with the the event since 2010. Recreational Boating Safety Award of Excellence. NSBC photo New world record set at For more information, visit Ready, Set, Wear It! event http://www.readysetwearit.com.

During the 18th International Boating and Water Safety Summit held in April 2014, the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety of the Virginia governor’s veto U.S. Coast Guard presented the Recreational preserves boater education, Boating Safety Award of Excellence to commitment to safety Augusto “Kiko” Villalon for his many decades of tireless efforts and contributions Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe vetoed in support of recreational boating safety. a bill that would have exempted many boat operators who are over the age of 45 from Kiko began his career in the recreational the state's current boating education marine industry in 1962, and as early as 1963 requirement. he became a member of the American Boat & Yacht Council’s Hull Performance Project The bill vetoed by Governor McAuliffe Technical Committee to further his interest Thousands of boating enthusiasts set a new would have exempted boat operators over in developing and maintaining safety world record for life jacket wear during the 45 who've had a boat registered in Virginia standards for boat manufacturing. fifth annual Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket for six continuous years. Proponents argue World Record Day on May 17, 2014. At 175 that someone who grows up on the water After almost 30 years with ABYC and his events around the globe, 6,973 participants knows the water and its rules of safety. continued interest in making boats safer, inflated their life jacket or wore an Kiko applied for, and was appointed to, the inherently buoyant life jacket, breaking the Stressing the importance of safety, Governor world record for life jacket wear. McAuliffe stated “I believe that the bill as

24 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory passed endangers those Virginians who make question, Responsive Management, a survey website. If you receive a Spanish-language use of public waterways.” Since the education research organization, conducted a study on form and don't have the resources to requirement was enacted in 2007, the number behalf of the States Organization for Boating translate it, please send it to the Coast Guard of accidents has dropped from an average of Access (SOBA). The study, Enhancing Fishing at [email protected]. 119 to 64 in 2013, and fatalities have dropped Access through a National Assessment of from an average of 21 to 11 Recreational Boating Access, explores boating in 2013. access in the U.S., examining the current and Nominate heroes for Officer future needs for boating access. of the Month Award

WSIA releases 'Responsible Law enforcement has many heroes — officers Boating' video who distinguish themselves every day through exemplary service and devotion to duty. To recognize these "living legends" of the profession, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund created the Officer of the Month Award Program in September 1996. Visit http://www.nleomf.org/officers/month to read the inspiring stories of heroism and service of past award winners, and consider nominating an officer you know or work with for this prestigious national award. Mark Duda, executive director of Responsive With the help of professional wakeboarder Management, will present two Shaun Murray, the Water Sports Industry comprehensive sessions on the study at Power Squadrons unveils Association released a new video to promote SOBA's 2014 National Boating Access new boating safety simulator responsible boating habits. The video focuses Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, Oct. 6-9. on driving and passenger safety, the Duda will dig deep into the data, will be on importance of maintaining access to hand to discuss elements of the survey and waterways for boating enthusiasts and being will work with the group to determine where respectful to other users out on the water. to go from here.

The WSIA encourages media and other See the full report at industry participants to share the video http://tinyurl.com/EnhancingFishingAccess. through social media channels in order to spread their message of safety. For more information, visit www.wsia.net. Coast Guard creates Spanish- language boating accident report form Study examines impact of access on fishing, boating The U.S. Coast Guard has created a Spanish- The United States Power Squadrons and language boating accident report form Virtual Driver Interactive have launched a Is boating access impacting boating and designed for use by the public. Feel free to new joint project – the Boating Safety Virtual fishing participation? To answer this use the form, refer to it and post it to your Trainer. This interactive simulation-based

(Continued on page 26) July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 25 BOATING

boating safety program allows people to Discover Boating joins Partnership launches practice exercises such as docking and chart-topping country star national database of youth maneuvering a slalom course. Briefs to inspire fans to experience boating & fishing programs life on the water Featuring three computer screens with a Discover Boating and The Recreational rotating field of vision, a steering wheel Boating Leadership Council (RBLC) recently and a Mercury Marine throttle, the launched a national database of youth fishing simulator reacts to variable settings for and boating programs. trim, current and wind. The database has hundreds of programs The realistic boating experience is the across the country, but the industry is urged result of sophisticated water physics to help in fleshing out the list to include all software developed by Virtual Driver programs that offer kids fishing and boating Interactive and funded through a Coast opportunities. Whether it’s an annual Guard grant. Other participating partner fishing tournament or a summer camp with organizations include the National Safe a boating program or wakeboarding club – Boating Council, the BoatUS Foundation, Discover Boating and the RBLC would love Brunswick Marine, Mercury Marine and Discover Boating will join chart-topping to hear from you. To submit information, Boston Whaler. country artist Jake Owen for his nationwide use the online form at 2014 "Days of Gold" tour as presenting www.discoverboating.com/boating- The use of a simulator does not replace live sponsor to inspire his millions of fans and courses/youth-boating-programs- on-water training but is meant to provide a concert-goers to discover life on the water. A submit.aspx or email program information close approximation that can be used as an lifelong boater, Owen will share stories of to co-chair, George Harris, at on-water training tool commensurate to how boating creates unique connections, [email protected]. existing and future on-the-water Power freedom and fun in his life and music, unlike Squadrons programs. Simulation allows anything he's ever experienced on land. His National organization students to navigate on-the-water boating stories will be featured throughout launches bilingual boating scenarios, where they contemplate and his eight-month tour and as part of Discover safety video make decisions using critical thinking. Boating's new 2014 "Stories of Discovery" campaign. In the ramp-up to National Safe Boating The training unit is the first of its kind in Week in May, the National Safe Boating the nation. Five units have been funded Visit www.growboating.org for a message Council released its new bilingual public and will be available for use by the Power from Jake Owen to the recreational boating service announcement (PSA). Titled Love Squadrons later in 2014. industry. To read about his love for boating, the Life!, the PSA shares the experience of visit www.discoverboating.com and click on two families and a dog as they spend the the Boating Lifestyle tab, then click on Big day boating and fishing. The NSBC also Name Boaters. To learn more about the Days posted two print ad options and two of Gold tour, visit JakeOwen.net. radio ads. Visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com/psas.htm to view the video and ads. Feel free to use these resources as well as other materials on the website to create boating safety awareness. ❃ 26 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory Your job is to tackle ADVERSITY every day.

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July-August 2014 NASBLA.ORG 27 Brunswick Commercial and Government Products (BCGP) is a division of Brunswick Corporation — thehe largestlargest marinemarine manufacturermanufac in the world. TWO BOATINGBOATING SAFETYSAFETY ADVOCATESADVOCATES INDUCTED INTO BOATINGBOATING SAFETYSAFETY HALLHALL OF FAMEFAME

arlier this year, two boating safety champions were inducted into the National Safe Boating Council’s Boating Safety Hall of Fame. The Boating Safety Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have shown exemplary leadership and performed outstanding service on behalf of boating safety. EThere are only two inductees each year. Marty Law recently retired after 33 years with the Throughout many years, Dan Maxim has held Oregon State Marine Board. Since joining Oregon’s U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary posts from Flotilla boating agency in 1979, Law served as education Commander through District Rear coordinator, education and information section Commodore, and has been appointed to various manager and Boating Safety Program manager. national staff positions including the Branch Nationally, he served as the chairman of the Chief through Department Chief of Education. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) education committee Dr. Maxim has also served as the U.S. and chairman of the National Safe Boating Coast Guard Auxiliary liaison to the Council in 1997-98. He also was the recipient of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council 1997 NASBLA Boating Safety Award. (NBSAC) and served as the former National Directorate Commodore, Recreational “There’s no doubt that Marty has achieved great Boating Safety. things in the state of Oregon, making recreational In addition, Dr. Maxim has U.S. Coast Guard boating safer throughout the years,” Virgil training at the National Search and Rescue Chambers, director emeritus of the National Safe School, National Aids to Navigation (ATON) Boating Council, said during the presentation. School, National Advanced Vessel Operator School, and numerous leadership courses. He is the During Marty’s career at OSMB, he was the driving force behind the only U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist nominated to attend the U.S. Coast implementation of Oregon’s mandatory education program. The state’s Guard Academy Loran-C Engineering course and one of just two U.S. mandatory boater education law was passed by the 1999 Oregon Coast Guard Auxiliarists funded to attend the University of Southern Legislature, with implementation beginning in 2001. The Marine California course in Aviation Safety Program Management. Board began the age phase-in to power boat operators in January 2003 for boaters 30 and younger. This program continues to be a model “Dan’s dedication to boating safety and his continuous work of thinking that has been followed by other states across the country. Oregon has outside the standard concepts has truly shaped the recreational seen a continued decrease in the number of boat accidents and power boating safety community,” commented Fred Messmann, deputy boater deaths since the implementation of the law. director of the National Safe Boating Council. “His ability to articulate what is missing and provide suggestions on possible As the Boating Safety Program Manager and Boating Law solutions is key to many of the intervention policies being developed Administrator, Marty implemented significant changes that have for boating safety today and into the future.” improved boating safety in Oregon through improved enforcement. For the first time in over 25 years, Marty led an His unique talents are now being utilized on the Research and effort to revamp the process to determine funding for Oregon’s Development Objective, a new objective the National Strategic Plan of the 31 counties by establishing an objective formula that relies on boat Recreational Boating Safety Program. At his suggestion and guidance, use data to determine allocation. By working with a sheriff’s committee, those committed to shaping the Strategic Plan have helped to better Marty designed an implementation plan and a phase-in schedule to collect data, fill in the gaps and look into the future to mitigate the ensure counties would be able to adapt to the changes. consequences of missed opportunities. It’s important to note that Dr. Maxim does all of this work on a volunteer basis. Dr. L. Maxim is Additionally, Marty oversaw the largest boat replacement president of Everest Consulting Associates, a consulting firm located program in more than a decade by working with agencies to in Cranbury, New Jersey, that conducts research in health, safety identify new platforms and offset costs through sales and trade- and environmental quality for clients in the mineral industries. Dr. ins of their older boats. Through Marty’s work, more counties Maxim holds three Masters Degrees and a Ph.D. in operations than expected were able to replace their boats due to savings he research with an emphasis on statistics and economics. found through the process. In just the first year, Marty’s work He is an experienced navigator, both aircraft and marine, is an aircraft with the sheriff’s departments resulted in 2,448 additional patrol pilot, rated for commercial, instrument, single and multi engine land and hours on Oregon water bodies over the previous year despite no sea, gliders, advanced and instrument, is a flight instructor and owns a additional funding. Post 42’ Sport Fish boat. ❃

Forr moree informationn andd fulll listt off Boatingg Safetyy Halll off FameFame inductees, visitvisit SafeBoatingCouncil.org.

28 NASBLA.ORG July-August 2014 Small Craft Advisory This summer, we thank you for relying on us.

From coast to coast, local, state, and federal agencies rely on Boat Ed safety education materials. We’re proud to continue this partnership, helping you to keep the waters safe this summer.

Contact: Mitch Strobl mstrobl@[email protected] 214-437-9900

kalkomeykalkomey.com.com PRESORTED STANDARD U S POSTAGE PAID CLEVELAND OH SCA PERMIT NO 1702 small craft advisory July-August 2014 | Vol. 29 No. 4 1648 McGrathiana Parkway, Suite 360 Lexington, KY 40511 Change Service Requested

2014-15 Recreational Boating Safety Calendar

14-15 2014 NASBLA December February Education Standards Panel Meeting 3 21 August National Recreational Boating Safety American Canoe Association Bangor, Maine Coalition Meeting Board of Directors Meeting 21-24 www.nasbla.org U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Washington, D.C. Fredericksburg, Virginia [email protected] [email protected] www.americancanoe.org National Convention 859.225.9487 Orlando, Florida 202.257.2836 [email protected] http://cgauxa.org/nacon 19 National Boating Federation 7-10 March Executive Committee Meeting NASBLA September RBS Instructor Development 1-4 7-14 Bar Harbor, Maine Workshop International Association of Marine United States Power Squadrons http://n-b-f.org Jacksonville, Florida Investigators Governing Board Meeting Annual Training Seminar 16-19 www.nasbla.org/MOI Arlington, Virginia 859.225.9487 http://iamimarine.org/iami www.usps.org NASBLA Annual Conference 8-11 Bar Harbor, Maine 2015 May NASBLA www.nasbla.org 6-7 Comprehensive Boating Accident [email protected] January American Boating Congress Investigation Course 859.225.9487 18-25 Washington, D.C. Biloxi, Mississippi United States Power Squadrons www.nmma.org www.nasbla.org/accident 23-25 Annual Meeting [email protected] US Sailing Annual Meeting Jacksonville, Florida 16-22 859.225.9487 Milwaukee, Wisconsin www.usps.org National Safe Boating Week ussailing.org www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com 14 [email protected] 28-30 American Canoe Association 401.683.0800 Association of Marina Industries Board of Directors Meeting International Marina & Boatyard June Grand Rapids, Michigan Conference 26-28 www.americancanoe.org November Tampa, Florida Operation Dry Water [email protected] 4-5 marinaassociation.org operationdrywater.org Homeland Security Outlook [email protected] Maritime Security Caribbean 401.682.7334 15-17 Nassau, Bahamas August American Canoe Association maritimesecuritycaribbean.com 27-30 Adaptive Paddling Summit U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Grand Rapids, Michigan 16-19 National Convention americancanoe.org/? San Antonio, Texas page=Adaptive_Summit Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Marine Dealer cgauxa.org/nacon [email protected] Conference & Expo Orlando, Florida October www.mraa.com Register 6-9 [email protected] States Organization for Boating Access now for Annual Boating Access Conference 19-21 North Little Rock, Arkansas C-PORT NASBLA’s 55th www.sobaus.org Conference and Membership Meeting Annual West Palm Beach, Florida http://cport.us Conference 11-12 Ride & Run to Remember National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund October 16-19, 2014 Washington, D.C. Bar Harbor, Maine rideandruntoremember.com www.nasbla.org