USCG Office of Boating Safety Update

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators 2009 Annual Conference Corpus Christi, Texas Jeff Hoedt, Chief USCG, CG-5422 Boating Safety Division

Recreation Demand Trends--- An Update Ken Cordell, Carter Betz, Gary Green, Shela Mou Forest Service SRS, UGA, and FS RMRS Athens, GA and Ft. Collins, CO May 5, 2009 [email_address] http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/nrrt/nsre/index.html

Trends in outdoor recreation generally

Between 2000 and early 2008, the total number of people who participated in one or more activities grew by 4.4 percent

At the same time, the sum total number of days of participation increased from 67 billion to 84 billion, approximately +25 percent

Figure 1.—Growth in number of people and number of activity days in 60 outdoor recreation activities in the United States, 2000–2007. Source: National Survey on Recreation and the Environment How did all the changes up through 2007 affect recreation participation?

BUT , What happens to Recreation Trends when we add data from 2008 to early 2009---vast changes in the drivers of demand?

The economy---recession actually began Jan. 2007 (recession = reduced growth in real GDP in 2 successive quarters)

Gasoline (doubled over price in 2004)

Climate change (now widely evident)

Etc.

Total annual recreation activity days, moving 3-year averages NSRE – National Survey on Recreation and the Environment Non-Motor Boating Activities Mixed, slight decline

Total annual recreation activity days, moving 3-year averages NSRE – National Survey on Recreation and the Environment Motorized Activities One up, one down

Summary of Trends

Outdoor recreation generally, and nature-based recreation especially , were still growing through 2007.

The mix of Americans’ activities, however, was changing over time, noticeably

Some traditional activities were declining, like picnicking, visiting historic sites, canoeing, rafting

BUT , there have been enormous changes since 2007---gas prices, finance industry, recession, ….., and they continue to change

Gas prices did affect trips and activity selection

Kids still do spend time outdoors

The wildest wild card will likely be climate change

National RBS Program Update

2008 Recreational Boating Market Estimates and Accidents

Market Estimates:

83.6 Million recreational boaters (age 16+)

NSRE update soon???

12.7 Million state registered boats

Millions more unregistered boats (canoes, kayaks, etc. - 4 to 25 million? TBD!)

Recreational boating’s economic impact is large in dollars and in providing U.S. jobs

2008 Recreational Boating Market Estimates and Accidents

Reported CY 2008 Boating Accidents:

4,789 boating accidents

709 deaths (2004: 676 deaths = record low)

3,331 injuries = the record low!

$54 million in property damage

National RBS Program Strategic Plan Update

RBS Performance Goals

Specific targets for numbers of casualties (injuries and deaths) set per year through the year 2011. (Measured on a calendar year, a 5-year average, and a fiscal year basis.)

2008 Goals CY Actuals 5 Yr. Avg.

Injuries 3150 3331 3453

Deaths 655 709 694

Casualties 3805 4040 4147

Registered Vessels and Deaths 1962-2008

2009 Goals CY Actuals 5 Yr. Avg.

Injuries 3585

Deaths 685

Casualties 4270

RBS Objectives

Boating safety education certificates issued (students certified) annually;

2008 = 397,633 certificates issued (baseline?)

Boating public’s awareness of safe boating practices;

Awaiting survey results to set baseline

RBS Objectives

Individuals completing an advanced boating education course or an on-the-water skill course;

Collecting data now (baseline to be established)

Increase adult life jacket wear-rate in open motorboats by 3% over previous year;

2007 = 4.7% 2008 – 5.2% (achieved)

RBS Objectives

Reduce deaths due to navigation rules violations to 19% of total deaths by 2011 ;

2005 baseline = 24% 2008 = 16%

achieved if can maintain this level to 2011

5% annual decrease in the number of casualties where alcohol use was a cause comparing 2011 to 2010 ;

2008 = 124/709 deaths where alcohol a primary contributing factor

RBS Objectives

Decrease the recreational boat manufacturer ratio of discrepancies per inspection by 5% from previous year ;

2007 = 1.0873 ratio 2008 = 1.0145 = -6.7%

achieved

Compliance with equipment carriage requirements;

Measures and baseline being established

RBS Objectives

Enhance accident data accuracy and completeness. Ensure investigator reports are complete and accurate;

Measures and baseline being established

Determine a participation denominator for boating activity to measure risk levels;

Awaiting survey results

RBS Sub-tier Goal

Evaluate the impact of grant programs in achieving the goals of the strategic plan.

System under development

National Boating Survey

Contract was awarded in 2009 to cover first 3 surveys – every other year

Survey now going through final approval from OMB.

Data collection to begin within 6 months.

Life Jackets – Creating a Culture Change

National JSI Measurement of Life Jacket Wear

Annual observation study.

JSI initiated measurement in 1998.

Overall wear rate has varied insignificantly from year to year between 21.3% (low-1999) and 23.9% (high-1998).

2008 wear rate – 22.6% (with PWCs).

2008 adult rate without PWCs – 8.1%

Life Jacket Wear USACE Project

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard working together on 3-year project to test the effectiveness and impacts of mandatory life jacket wear requirements.

Selected sites include northern Mississippi (boats <26’) and SW Pennsylvania (boats <16’).

Primary focus on Mississippi given that this requirement is new there.

Measuring the life jacket wear rate and impacts on participation.

Baseline data collected in 2008, and 2009 is first implementation year.

Baseline measure for all boats, except PWCs, for adults only – 8.5%.

Preliminary data for 2009 indicates a wear rate of 70.8%!

Initiatives include public awareness campaign and warnings – no citations.

Mandatory Education

Mandatory Education Proposal

Spring 2004 NBSAC resolution advising USCG to seek legislation authorizing USCG to promulgate mandatory education regulations.

USCG/Administration sent legislative change proposal to Hill to do this in early 2006 & early 2007.

Proposals failed probably because of misperception, confusing terminology, concern over possible future CG direction.

Fall 2007 NBSAC resolution advised USCG to continue work on legislation for federal mandatory education & to create workgroup.

USCG/Administration has not sent a proposal to the Hill this year to date. However, …

At the request for drafting assistance, the USCG provided new legislative language in 2009 to the Hill. To date, no action has been taken – not included in CG Authorization Bill – H.R. 3619 – introduced last week.

Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund

FY08 Receipts FY09 Distribution Current as of 1-13-09

SFRBTF Reauthorization

SFRBTF Authorization Expires End of FY 09

Coast Guard and USFWS have developed a legislative proposal (LCP) for the reauthorization of the Trust Fund.

NASBLA, AFWA and other boating/fishing interests working together have developed collaborative legislative proposal.

SFRBTF Reauthorization

Neither of these has been introduced on the Hill as of yet.

Kudos to the partners for their cooperative efforts during this effort.

The expected results are positive!

Current Bills on the Hill

Hot legislation – House passed 9/23:

Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2009 H.B. 3617

Extends the authorization of the transfer of money from the Highway Trust Fund to the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and to the subsequent programs (RBS) through 31 Dec 2009.

States will probably only receive ¼ of their annual allocation during this period.

Hot legislation – introduced 9/22:

Coast Guard Authorization Act H.R. 3619

Marine Safety Responsibilities – possible new structure ;

Fishing Vessel Safety Program that references RBS manufacturing standards and creates new grant programs with 75/25% match;

Amends “associated equipment” to include emergency locator beacons;

Hot legislation:

Coast Guard Authorization Bill H.R. 3619

USCG to complete literature review and study on blended fuels (ethanol);

Reauthorizes the National Boating Safety Advisory Council through 2020;

NOTE: 24 Sept 2009 – Notice from Secretary of Homeland Security that suspends all action on Committee charters and member appointments while an efficiency review is conducted.

Vessel Identification System

Vessel Identification System (VIS)

VIS became operational late September 2007.

31 states and territories have submitted signed MOAs. The most recent being Texas.

State participation essential to make VIS effective as a law enforcement and maritime security strategy.

Which States Have Signed Their MOAs for VIS? DC VI PR AS GU CM 31 22 3 States with barriers to participation MOAs not yet signed MOAs signed – 6.1M boats As of 9/09/09

Numbering Regulatory Project

Numbering regulations, VIS regulations and accident reporting regulations use different terms, categories and definitions.

Regulatory project moving forward to create consistency and resolve problems from the lack of such.

NPRM to be published in first half of 2010.

Propeller Strike Avoidance

20-40 deaths per year and hundreds of injuries.

Proposals to resolve problems:

Initial education package completed and tested in 2008. Updated package continuing to move forward.

Propeller Strike Avoidance

Proposals to resolve problems:

First regulatory project moving forward is cut-off switch installation and use. NPRM to be published in 2010. Proposed rule for operator to turn engine off will follow.