NMMA presents at California Boating Congress
This week, NMMA took part in the eighth annual California Boating Congress (CBC) in Sacramento. Along with several California based-industry groups, nearly 60 people attended this year’s event.
Robert Newsome, NMMA’s senior vice president of operations, presented in a working lunch discussing the economic impact of recreational boating in California. CBC brought together industry stakeholders and leaders across the marine industry and boating community on the topics of future boating policy, funding, and regulation.
This year’s programming included a variety of panels between attendees and key legislators from the Democratic and Republican caucuses. Alongside the legislative panels, the California Division of Boating and Waterways covered enhancements being made to the department’s Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE) program. Present throughout the presentations was the attendees’ call for California to conduct a robust recreational boating industry study, which has not been done since 1997.
A panel moderated by Rachel Fischer, NMMA’s western policy and engagement manager, was comprised of engineers from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Jeff Wasil, NMMA’s senior director of environment, health, and safety compliance. Representatives from CARB discussed commercial harbor craft regulations, next steps for the pleasure craft survey, and how those topics fit into California’s overall look toward the future of decarbonization. Complementing the board’s priorities, Wasil covered the global marine industry’s Pathways report findings and Propelling Our Future initiative.
The Marine Recreation Association partnered with the NMMA, California Yacht Brokers Association, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, Boat US, Personal Watercraft Association, and Recreational Boaters of California to sponsor the event.
