Strengthening Relationships: The NSBC and its Continuing Efforts with Manufacturers

PFDMA ConferenceTuesday, June 28, 2011

Fred Messmann, Deputy DirectorRachel Johnson, Communications

Director

The National Safe Boating Council

•NSBC’s Mission: To enhance the safety of the recreational boating experience through:

▫Education▫Outreach▫Training

NSBC Training• Instructor Training Course▫ Designed to prepare instructor

candidates to teach effective NASBLA-approved basic boating safety courses

▫ Focuses on teaching techniques and interactive methods

• Close-Quarters Boat Handling Course▫ Defensive boat handling instructor

course▫ Focuses on maneuvers and

techniques

North American Safe Boating Campaign (“Wear It!”)

•Goal: reduce recreational boating casualties based on the Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program 2012-2016.

▫Objective 2. Boating Safety Outreach▫Objective 4. Life Jacket Wear

Recreational Boating Statistics (2010)

2009 2010 Results

Fatalities 736 672 6.9% Decrease

Drownings 543 484 5.1% Decrease

Accidents 4,730 4,604 2.66% Decrease

Injuries 3,358 3,153 6.10% Decrease

Registered Vessels

12,721,541 12,438,926 2.2% Decrease

Key Items:- 672 Fatalities LOWEST in recorded history!- Almost three-fourths of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, eighty-eight (88) percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.- Only nine (9) percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction.

“Wear It!” National Outreach

•Advertising Efforts▫Media Buy (Radio, TV,

Print)▫Public Service

Announcement•Support for States,

Organizations, etc.▫Outreach to all 50 States

Campaign Mailer Postcards Press Kit

▫Free/Paid Resources

“Wear It!” National Outreach

•2011 – Public Service Announcement▫Gold Medalist Mark Spitz▫“I’m a Good Swimmer, but…”

“Wear It!” State-Targeted Effort•Began with “Wear It

California!” in 2007▫Life jacket wear

increased from 6.2% to 12.2% on Delta

•“Wear It Michigan!” – 3rd Year

•“Wear It New York!” – 2nd Year

•“Wear It Washington!” – 1st Year

“Ready, Set, Inflate!”

•Goal for 2011:▫Increase Education and Outreach▫Beat 2010 record of 1,154

•2011 Results:▫Participants - 1,685 (531 more than last year)▫Inflatable Life Jackets - 1,191 (37 more than last

year)▫Total Number of Inherently Buoyant Life Jackets -

494 (including 13 dogs)

“Ready, Set, Inflate!”

“Ready, Set, Inflate!”

“Ready, Set, Inflate!”

The NSBC and Manufacturers •Life Jacket Manufacturers▫Mustang Survival

(Boating Safety Sidekicks)▫Revere Supply Company▫Takashina▫…etc!

• Cylinder Manufacturers

iSi Components Leland Supply Company Halkey-Roberts

The NSBC and Manufacturers

NSBC “Point of Safe” (Sale) Fast Track Grant•USACE Mandatory Life Jacket Study▫Pine Flat Lake – east of Fresno, CA▫Millerton – north of Fresno - Control Lake for

study▫JSI measured last year (2010)▫USACE nor USCG actually measuring

difference between “sales” last year versus this year

▫NSBC grant will survey and place Point of Sale material in marinas, box store, and small stores

Point of Sale: Mannequin Display

Fred Messmanndeputy@safeboatingcouncil.org

(703) 789-2730

Rachel Johnsonoutreach@safeboatingcouncil.org(703) 361-4294 / (703) 789-2731

www.SafeBoatingCouncil.orgwww.SafeBoatingCampaign.com