Weekly 5: 701 boating deaths in 2016
The BI Weekly 5 is a collection of tips, news and data affecting the boating industry this week. Be sure to look for the BI Weekly 5 every week on BoatingIndustry.com.
1. 701 Boating Deaths In 2016, Nation’s Highest Number In Past 5 Years
The Philadelphia CBS Affiliate reported that the Coast Guard announced 2016 saw the highest number of boating deaths in the past five years.
From 2015 to 2016, deaths increased 12 percent from 626 to 701, injuries increased 11.1 percent from 2,613 to 2,903, and the total number of accidents increased 7.3 percent from 4,158 to 4,463.
2. Sea-Doo maker BRP expands in Mexico as Trump eases NAFTA rhetoric
Canada’s BRP Inc. is charging ahead with expanding Mexican output of its Sea-Doo watercraft and other sport vehicles, encouraged by U.S. President Donald Trump’s relaxed rhetoric over the North American Free Trade Agreement, according to The Globe and Mail.
“We were a little bit worried when President Trump came to power, given that he took some pretty drastic positions during the campaign,” Chief Executive Officer Jose Boisjoli said in an interview. “Now we’re starting to see a timetable. We have a better idea in terms of the schedule, and the tone has softened a bit.”
3. Senator Tim Scott Honored by SOBA with 2017 Congressional Award
During the May 15-17 American Boating Congress, the States Organization for Boating Access presented its annual 2017 Congressional Award to Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the NMMA reported.
The SOBA Executive Board awards this honor annually to a member of Congress or State Representative who has made significant contributions to public boating access in the nation.
4. New York Raising Awareness for Invasive Species
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the state’s fourth annual Invasive Species Awareness Week will take place from July 9–15, myChamplainValley.com reported.
“Invasive Species Awareness Week is a great opportunity to highlight some of the environmental and economic threats these species can pose and raises awareness of the many ways that all New Yorkers can help protect against unwelcome species in their communities,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.
The DEC will work with the eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management, Cornell Cooperative and other state and local partners to host educational events about how to identify and manage invasive species for ISAW.
5. Congressman fights with officials over boating-wake rules
Proposed wake restrictions in the Northern areas of Lake Havasu created a frenzy among recreational boaters last year, and U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar says the fight isn’t over, according to HavasuNews.com.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service posed boating restrictions on waterways surrounding Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, prompting a town hall discussion attended by more than 1,000 guests and speakers. Efforts by Gosar, Lake Havasu City officials and the Havasu public helped lead to the suspension of USFW’s proposal, but Gosar now is seeking further action against the federal wildlife agency and its Southwestern regional director Benjamin Tuggle.
