National Recreational Boating Safety Coalition January 15 ...

1 National Recreational Boating Safety Coalition January 15, 2014 Meeting Notes The Coalition met at the offices of AAA in Washington, DC. Tom O'Day chaired the meeting. Attendance Tom O Day (NRBSC); Rob Henry (NTSB); Earl Waesche (NBF); Eric Stolzenberg (NTSB); Pam Dillon (NASBLA); Steve Blackistone (NTSB); Bruce Johnson (USCG Auxiliary); Michael Belitzky (NMMA); Larry Innis (MRAA); David Dickerson (NMMA); Joseph Carro (USCG); Gale Alls (USPS). National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Pam Dillon described the development of new National Boater Education Standards. The draft standards have been through a public review process, with the proposed revisions receiving 63 comments. The final standards will be adopted within the next couple of months.

2 Separately, 105 public comments were received to proposed paddle sports standards. NASBLA is now applying for American National Standards Institute approval. In response to a question, she noted that there are not major wholesale changes to the standards, but that they will be more based on a risk assessment. NASBLA also is upgrading its Recreational Boating Safety professional credential. A Boating Professional Commission will be developing the professional credential standard. It will be identifying those knowledge areas needed for a professional credential exam. The professional credential process is being designed to identify future Boating Safety leaders. Upcoming meetings include: *The Boating Law Administrators' workshop, February 19-20, to discuss issues of specific interest to BLAs; * Boating Law Administrators' Leadership Academy, July, a more detailed discussion of Boating Safety programs; *NASLBA Annual Conference, October 16-19, Bar Harbor, Maine Coast Guard Joe Carro reported that a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the Sport Fish Facilities Fund will be published soon.

3 A new Recreational Boating survey will begin soon, that should provide definitive data regarding Recreational Boating activities The Coast Guard recently concluded a 3-day meeting to develop PFD harmonization standards. It appears that Boating casualties will decline in 2013, but it is uncertain when the final numbers will be released. The Coast Guard is preparing data on the ages of Recreational Boating fatalities, which should be of value in seeking adoption of improved PFD use laws. National Transportation Safety Board Rob Henry reported on several NTSB accident investigations of interest: *The final report on the January 9, 2013 allision of the passenger ferry Seastreak Wall Street in lower Manhattan is scheduled to be presented to the Board at a public meeting on April 8, 2014 .

4 *As a result of several investigations into cruise ship incidents, including the grounding of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy last year, NTSB plans to hold a cruise ship Safety forum on March 25 and 26. *On August 15, 2012, around 1515, one of two passengers participating in a tandem parasail flight fell from an approximate height of 200 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, near Pompano Beach, Florida, resulting in the passenger's death. The other passenger participating in the parasailing activity was not injured. NTSB plans to produce a summary report of parasail Safety based on this accident and several earlier accidents where our lab has analyzed parasail components.

5 It is expected to be released in late February. *On January 5 at approximately 1045, the M/V Mesabi Miner (US Flag 990' Iron Ore Carrier) collided with the USCG Cutter Hollyhock during icebreaking operations in northern Lake Michigan approximately 22 miles west of Straits of Mackinac. Although there were no significant injuries flooding or pollution reported, both vessels suffered significant damage. Since this is a public-nonpublic vessel casualty with damage exceeding $75,000, NTSB is leading the investigation with USCG assisting, and the Polar Vortex is providing the weather. Safe Kids On November 20, Safe Kids Worldwide held Safe Kids Capitol Day at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

6 Exhibitors presented on a range of child injury prevention topics, including child passenger Safety , sports Safety , and water Safety . Several partners exhibited on water Safety , including the National Transportation Safety Board and the Coast Guard. Other participants included: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fire Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and more. The event was a success, with approximately 200 staffers in attendance. The event was held in coordination with the Congressional Kids Safety Caucus, formed in 2013 with four co-chairs on a bipartisan basis. The four co-chairs are Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Jon Runyan (R- NJ), Grace Meng (D-NY) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

7 Federal Highway Administration director Victor Mendez attended Capitol Day and wrote an article about it in the Department of Transportation blog Fast Lane. In addition, Rep. Kevin Cramer issued a photo press release about the event, while Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jon Runyan tweeted out messages. State Legislative Action Tom O'Day distributed a summary of gaps in boater education and PFD laws, and 2014 legislative activities. An updated summary, reflecting discussions at the meeting, was circulated separately after the meeting. Next Meeting The Coalition will meet again on March 5. Tom O'Day will provide meeting details and an advance agenda shortly before then.