A Note from the Executive Director

“I can’t express how elated I am over the job y’all have done with the IBWSS. As you know, I was the guy who made the decision not to have two competing conferences: the ACOE Water Safety Conference and the NSBC Boating Symposium. Thus, we sat down, brought both worlds together and IBWSS was created. I’m in awe and grinning ear to ear with how professional, diverse, and meaningful everything is. HOME RUN!” - John Malatak

It's validation like this that fuels our team, and we are excited about the International Boating and Water Safety program that we delivered. As our first virtual conference, we set the bar high and hired two producers to professionally choreograph each session. Our attendance was just shy of 1,200 which is a phenomenal international reach. Many partners came together to support the development of a diverse, informative, educational, and entertaining program. While we are still riding the wave of excitement, we are planning for 2022 in the DC metro area. We are eager to see everyone in-person, and add fellowship and networking back into our schedule. Learn more at www.IBWSS.org.

Our team says farewell, but not goodbye, to Captain Scott Johnson. His leadership has changed the recreational boating safety community for the better, and we’ve built an infrastructure of internal controls and measurable results that will help us create more impactful programming. Thank you, Captain Johnson, for the guidance and support you’ve given our team. We look forward to learning about your next chapter. Godspeed to our friend and mentor.

Peg Phillips

Keep Your Waterways Safe All Year

Summer is here! Keeping your waterways safe never stops. Every season is a great time to inspect waterways to see if additional buoys or markers are needed to alert boaters of hazards, restricted areas, operating restrictions, swim zones, or provide directions and information.

Just like signs along the roadways, Rolyan Buoys help keep boaters safe on our waterways with navigational buoys, hazard markers, and other critical signals to direct marine traffic.

NSBC Welcomes Mary Carrier and James Muldoon to Boating Safety Hall of Fame

The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), a national catalyst for recreational boating safety, inducted Mary Carrier and James Muldoon into the Boating Safety Hall of Fame, the organization’s most prestigious award recognizing those who provided vital leadership in making our waterways safer throughout their career.

The NSBC’s Boating Safety Hall of Fame was established in 1995 and recognizes individuals who have made, or continue to generate, substantial and lasting contributions toward the advancement of recreational boating safety. Learn more.

Mary Carrier, Boating Education Coordinator, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Carrier has been instrumental in developing and implementing various components of boating safety programs to advance boating safety throughout the nation and the state of Texas. Carrier served in the United States Army for over twenty years and completed her career as a Training Advisor at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. After retiring from active duty, Carrier used her leadership skills and commitment to boating and water safety to develop outreach programs and hands-on training for recreational boaters. She has been a boating education coordinator with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 2011.

“Mary has been an agent for change throughout her career,” said Stu Gilfillen, chair of the National Safe Boating Council. “Her induction into the Boating Safety Hall of Fame is a reflection of the trailblazer she is in every aspect of what she does – and on behalf of the entire board of the National Safe Boating Council, welcome!”

Carrier has made a nationwide impact through involvement with national entities, including the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, American Canoe Association, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), National Safe Boating Council, and Safe Kids, as well as local organizations including Galveston Bay Sail & Power Squadron, The Single Sailors Association, The Texas Drowning Prevention Alliance, Coastal Brigade, and others.

She served as a NASBLA Charge Leader and was instrumental in efforts to build and update the boating safety dashboards on mandatory education and state reciprocity, which illustrate when a valid boating certification in one state is accepted in another state.

Since Carrier joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18, she has been a trailblazer for women.

“With courage, determination, and perseverance, Mary has renounced stereotypes and excelled in professions that have traditionally been the province of men.” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “Of the 46 people that have been inducted, only 5 were women and none – until now – were people of color.”

James Muldoon, CEO and Founder, METCOR/LSI

Muldoon was a key contributor to the development of the U. S. Coast Guard's Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program. He advised the U. S. Coast Guard and its Boating Safety Division that on-water skills-based training was necessary to increase safety and reduce accidents and fatalities.

“Mr. Muldoon’s work has left an indelible mark on the recreational boating and marine industries,” said Stu Gilfillen, chair of the National Safe Boating Council. “His leadership and advocacy resulted in the development of the National On-Water Standards, which all boating organizations and boaters are benefiting from today.”

As the chair of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) for 11 years, Muldoon’s leadership advanced NBSAC’s ability to contribute to U.S. Coast Guard initiatives that support boaters around the country. Under his direction, NBSAC established permanent liaisons with two other U.S. Coast Guard Councils (Commercial and Towing), increased cooperation, and expanded implementation of safety measures for all boaters.

He has also been recognized by almost every major organization in the boating safety community for his outstanding contributions. For decades, Mr. Muldoon has supported boating safety education and training opportunities at the national and grassroots levels. He was a key player in the development and funding approval of US Sailing's national keelboat training and certification program. Over 35 years ago, he founded the Brendan Sail Training Program for Youth with Learning Differences to boost self-confidence and personal growth in children with learning differences.

“Mr. Muldoon exemplifies the passion for boating safety that the National Safe Boating Council looks for in a Boating Safety Hall of Fame inductee,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “He has dedicated his career to making our waterways safer and is worthy of joining the elite group of 47 hall of fame members.”

Muldoon has served as CEO and founder of METCOR/LSI since 1979, which provides specialized procurement-related and customized learning solutions and services to federal and corporate clients in the high technology/emerging market arenas. His early experience working for a U.S. Senator on Capitol Hill laid the foundation for his continued success in advancing boating safety issues.

Celebrating 50 Years of the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971

2021 is a yearlong recreational boating industry celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971! On August 10th, 1971, President Richard Nixon signed the Federal Boat Safety Act (FBSA). The act mandated a cooperative Federal-State effort to improve the safety of recreational boating in the United States.

The Federal Boat Safety Act established the National Recreational Boating Safety Program and gave the U.S. Coast Guard the authority to establish mandatory boat manufacturing and safety standards.

“The boating industry is continually innovating to create a safe boating experience for all boaters,” Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, and organizer of the commemorative campaign in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. “The FBSA of 1971 paved the way for leaps and bounds forward in the recreational boating industry.”

The Act led to a significant reduction in recreational boating accidents and fatalities after its passing. From 1972 to 1975, the recreational boating fatality rate was 12 percent lower than the rate in 1971. Today, recreational boating accidents are at historic lows.

“The innovation in the marine industry over the last 50 years is incredible – bringing a safe boating experience for a diverse and growing number of boaters today,” said Robert Newsome, senior vice president of operations for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “It’s not enough to just talk about a safe boating experience, the fact is that many manufacturers have far exceeded industry standards; there’s a higher level of safety out there because of the Act.”

Matt Gruhn, president of the Marine Retailers Association, said, “The Act challenged the marine industry to focus on safety, and it has, with significant advancements in standards and technology – from joystick docking to bluetooth-enabled engine cut-off devices – it continues to innovate to create a quality boating experience.”

The FBSA changed recreational boating and the way the industry approaches both safety and cooperation. This act has given organizations common guidelines for recreational boating safety and serves as the foundation for safe boating standards. Partnerships with volunteer organizations, state-led agencies, boaters and the maritime community have greatly contributed to the FBSA’s legacy.

Watch this session kicking off the FBSA's milestone anniversary during the 2021 International Boating and Water Safety Summit. Learn more at www.FederalBoatSafetyAct.com.

Highlights from the 2021 International Boating and Water Safety Summit

The 2021 International Boating and Water Safety Summit was a huge success! With over 35 sessions from adaptive boating to diversifying outdoor recreation, and from boater wellness to safety at sea, the NSBC is proud to share sessions from our first virtual conference. Watch recorded sessions online for free at your own pace!

1. Registered attendees: Login to Event Owl to watch sessions and continue to earn Continue Education Units through December of 2021. To earn CEUs, you must redeem the code that appears at the end of the video and complete the short survey for each session. To download your Continuing Education Units certificate, please login to Event Owl and click on your name in the upper right corner and select the Certificate button. Please contact IBWSS@safeboatingcouncil.org with any questions.

2. All others: Sessions are available to watch online for free by completing this form.

For an idea of what you can catch from the sessions, check out these highlights from Mustang Survival, ACR Electronics & Mario Vittone, and Kalkomey.

Watch Laura. Laura Fergusson, Mustang Survival's Ambassador & Content Manager, shares about the growth of Mustang's lifestyle brand, Live Beyond Land. This session takes a close look at how marketers can inspire and guide people to take action by sharing a passion for a shared experience – a love for outdoor adventure.

Watch Mikele and Mario. An emergency locator beacon is essential gear for every outdoor adventurer – whether you’re boating, hiking, fishing, geocaching, hunting, or participating in any outdoor activity. It alerts Search and Rescue assets by transmitting a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency via satellite to the nearest Rescue Coordination Center. Mikele D’Arcangelo, vice president of marketing with ACR Electronics, and Mario Vittone, a retired U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer, discuss how emergency locator beacons work and share a case study about how an emergency locator beacon led to rescue of six spear fishermen.

Watch Rebecca. Kalkomey is proud to be the premier sponsor of the 2021 International Boating and Water Safety Summit. As a long standing partner to state agencies and boater education programs across the U.S. and Canada, Kalkomey's Rebecca Medeiros shares how their online courses and full suite of education products prepare outdoor adventurers and continue raising the standards in online education.

Save the date for the 2022 International Boating and Water Safety Summit. We'll be in the DC metro area from March 13-16 - registration opens fall 2021.

Free Video Series - Boat On Course

Boat On Course, educational boating safety videos from the National Safe Boating Council, teach the basic navigation rules of boating. New videos are available, with more videos coming soon. Watch on your own time and take a short quiz at the end!

“There are no white lines, street signs, or stop lights while boating,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council, who partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop Boat On Course. “The videos take a practical approach to boating by relating it to something boaters are already familiar with – the rules of the road when driving a car.”

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 4,168 recreational boating reported accidents in 2019, and 70% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had no boating safety instruction.

“The National Safe Boating Council recommends all boaters participate in instruction and education prior to launching,” said Peg. “Not only can you play a critical role in preventing a boating accident, your time on the water will be more enjoyable.”

Most states require that boaters to hold a valid boat operator certificate. Boat On Course is not a certification program, however, it is a valuable resource for boaters to learn and brush up on navigation rules and may help you with passing your boater education course.

Five new safety videos include: America’s Waterway Watch, Boating Offshore, Marine Safety Information, Uniform Waterway Marking Systems, and Understanding Aids to Navigation. Four more new videos will be available in late summer 2021.

Other boating safety topics covered include: Responsible Operation, Overtaking, Crossing, Meeting Head-On, Sound Signals, Navigation Lights, Maritime Exclusion Zones, Narrow Channels, Commercial Vessels, Sailing Vessels, and Courtesy on the Water.

U.S. Coast Guard 2020 Boating Safety Statistics

The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics Report, revealing that there were 767 boating fatalities nationwide in 2020, a 25.1 percent increase from 2019.

From 2019 to 2020, the total number of accidents increased 26.3 percent (4,168 to 5,265), and the number of non-fatal injured victims increased 24.7 percent (2,559 to 3,191). There is evidence that boating activity increased significantly during the pandemic, from reports of increased boat sales, insurance policies taken out, insurance claims, and calls for towing assistance. With the increased exposure (i.e., more boating hours), there was greater risk of deaths, injuries, and accidents. The Coast Guard is analyzing variables associated with boating activity to normalize this accident data.

The report shows that in 2020:

• The fatality rate was 6.5 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, the highest in the program’s recent history. This rate represents a 25 percent increase from last year’s fatality rate of 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
• Property damage totaled about $62.5 million.
• Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
• Where the cause of death was known, 75 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86 percent were not wearing a life jacket.
• Where boating instruction was known, 77 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. The Coast Guard recommends that all boaters take a boating safety course that meets the National Boating Education Standards prior to getting out on the water.
• The most common vessel types involved in reported accidents were open motorboats, personal watercraft, and cabin motorboats. Where vessel type was known, the vessel types with the highest percentage of deaths were open motorboats (50 percent), kayaks (15 percent), and pontoons (9 percent).
• Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2020, accounting for over 100 deaths, or 18 percent of total fatalities.

Admiral Club Profile: Training Resources Maritime Institute

Admiral Club is the NSBC's highest tier of membership recognizing organizations committed to recreational boating safety. In this issue of Anchorline, we'll learn more about Training Resources Maritime Institute (TRLMI), the largest maritime training center in the Western U.S.

TRLMI developed Boater U, a recreational boater training program focused on "hands on" learning with evening and weekend classes to meet the needs of working boaters. Classes are based both in the classroom and on-water. Current offerings include repair & maintenance course topics (Diesel Engine, Outboard Engine and Marine Electrical) and beginning boater courses (USCG Boating Skills & Seamanship and NSBC's Boat Control On-Water Training curriculum). More advanced topics (marine weather, celestial navigation, and electronic navigation) are coming soon. Learn more at www.boateru.com.

NSBC Training Program

The NSBC training program continues to grow with a newly appointed Training Advisory Committee (TAC). The members are seasoned recreational boating instructors with many years’ experience utilizing the NSBC curriculum. TAC members are Captain Jeff Gunn, Captain Charlie Slabaugh, Captain Kathy Weydig, Captain Alan Dennison, and Peg Phillips.

With travel restrictions lifting, the NSBC is offering our Instructor Certification course nationwide. Our train-the-trainer model is designed for marine patrol, boat clubs, and any organization employing boat operators who are training new hires or recreational boaters.

Essentials in Close Quarters & Open Water Boat Control: This is the NSBC Instructor Certification course. Instructor Candidates must be pre-approved by the NSBC. Upon completion of the 3-day on-water training, Instructor Certificates are issued. All current NSBC Instructors are entered into the national database and are free to use the NSBC logo, NSBC Instructor logo, and NSBC Course Provider Kit.

Boat Control On-Water Training: This curriculum can be taught to recreational boaters, marine patrol, or marine first responders by a NSBC Certified Instructor. A Certificate of Completion can be awarded for each module, but this is not an instructor certification course. The curriculum contains 4 modules; each module is 3 hours of on-water instruction. With on-water training, we are creating a safer environment on our waterways. And, the courses provide a revenue stream for our boat captains. The 4 modules are: 1. Introduction to Powerboating, 2. Precision Docking and Boat Handling, 3. Open Water Boat Handling, and 4. Open Water Advanced Maneuvers.

NSBC Instructors may access helpful resources to help you teach and maintain your certification at www.safeboatingcouncil.org/training. Please select Instructor Resources in the left menu. Resources include Digital Course Waiver, Digital Course Report, Course Certificates, Membership Renewal, Marketing Resources, FAQs, and much more!

Interested in becoming a certified instructor? Cost for the NSBC Instructor Certification is $750 (based on a course with 4 candidates) and includes:

• 3-day on-water NSBC Instructor Certification Course
• NSBC annual instructor membership ($85 per year)
• NSBC instructor binder: includes both NSBC curriculums
• NSBC instructor certificate
• NSBC instructor lapel pin

Please send inquiries to pphillips@safeboatingcouncil.org.

© National Safe Boating Council

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