The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program is marking its 10 year anniversary, after recognizing the need to develop a national training standard amongst all local, state and tribal law enforcement and emergency first responders. Since its inception, the BOAT Program has grown immensely. Initially, there were only 15 instructors working to ...
Read More »Tag Archives: U.S. Coast Guard
Coast Guard Foundation announces 128 new scholarships
The Coast Guard Foundation announced that it awarded 128 scholarships in 2019, totaling $354,000 in support. In the 29 years of the program, the Coast Guard Foundation has paid out more than $5.4 million to more than 1,100 college-aged young adults. Awardees include scholars such as Caroline Cutter. The daughter of Master Chief Petty Officer, Mark Cutter, a 27-year Coast ...
Read More »U.S. Coast Guard releases 2018 Recreational Boating Statistics Report
The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2018 Recreational Boating Statistics Report last week, revealing that there were 633 boating fatalities nationwide in 2018, a 3.8 percent decrease from 2017. The NMMA said improving safety on the water is a key pillar of NMMA’s mission and works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to advance these efforts. From 2017 to 2018, overall ...
Read More »Boating Industry provisions to be included in Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 3409). NMMA played a critical role in shaping the legislation, which includes provisions that would improve the safety of the 142 million Americans who take to the water each year. Specifically, the bill includes language that would mandate the wear of engine cut-off devices ...
Read More »U.S. House Committee approves Coast Guard reauthorization bill
Yesterday, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 3049). NMMA played an important role in shaping the bill, which includes key provisions that would improve safety measures for the 142 million Americans who take to the water each year. The legislation includes a provision that would mandate the wear of ...
Read More »SureShade names new director of manufacturing
SureShade, the U.S. designer and manufacturer of patented retractable sunshade systems for outdoor recreation industries, announced that Kirk Fistick has joined the company as director of manufacturing to lead production and manufacturing operations at SureShade’s headquarters in Philadelphia, Penn. As director of manufacturing for SureShade, Fistick will be responsible for overseeing the entire production operation of the SureShade plant, leading ...
Read More »National Safe Boating Week is underway with fresh focus
Each year over 140 million Americans take to the water on a boat. Making sure they get back to the dock safely is the idea behind National Safe Boating Week May 18 – 24. Boating safety advocates across the U.S., including the marine industry, work together with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to improve awareness of basic boating safety best ...
Read More »Annual Safe Boating Campaign set to deploy the weekend before Memorial Day
The National Safe Boating Council and its partners are kicking off the annual National Safe Boating Week campaign May 18-24, with important safety reminders for boaters as the busy boating season gears up. “We are excited to join forces with partners around the world to encourage everyone to wear a life jacket when on the water and always boat responsibly ...
Read More »It’s the little things that’ll get you, how to avoid boating mistakes
You obey the pedestrian crossing signals but trip on the curb. Wear safety glasses but saw through a power cord. Map out a complex trip but miss a simple turn. It’s the same in boating: Neglecting the little things can lead to big problems. (Just ask the guy who forgot to install the hull drain plug.) Want to avoid the ...
Read More »Capsized or swamped, stay with the boat!
It can seemingly happen in a heartbeat: a following wave stuffs and rolls your boat, and you’re in the water. Or, the body of water is in your boat — a wave or wake over bow, transom or gunwales; a hull split; a through-hull failed. Maybe (sigh!) someone forgot to install the plug. The first rule’s the same whether you’re ...
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