2020

NSBC Membership Connection E-Newsletter

News and updates about our programs, industry happenings, member spotlights and more from the National Safe Boating Council. In this issue: NSBC General Membership Meeting is September 25, New Life Jacket Label, Walsh Marine Products, Fiscal Year End Sale, and more.

First-Time Boat Owners Need To Be Prepared

With vacations, summer camps, and youth sports canceled by the pandemic, more people have bought boats for some summer fun that allows physical distancing from strangers while staying close to home. About a third of those buyers have never owned a boat, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Enter to Win $15,000: BoatUS Foundation and Berkley Recast & Recycle Contest

Have you ever wondered how old, discarded fishing line is recycled and reused? You may be surprised to learn that turning fishing line into new products is labor intensive, requiring a series of workers to comb through, sort, clean, remove hooks and weights, and separate out miles of encrusted debris in entangled fishing line. There also aren’t any recycling programs for fishing related materials like soft baits. There just has to be a better way.

Coast Guard Rescues 6 After Boat Overturns in Atlantic

Six people get to go home to their families because a responsible boater had a personal locator beacon. These are the stories of responsible boating that we like to read. It is a tragedy that their boat capsized, but activating the beacon saved everyone. Boats can be replaced, family members can’t.

Proving Ground

Blackmore and team are based in Nelson, in the Selkirk Mountains. They call themselves the Kootenay Pedalwheelers, and were one of the 32 teams originally slated to compete in the 2020 Race to Alaska (R2AK); a 750-mile, non-motorized, self-supported race from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska.

FREE Outreach Resources for Recreational Boating

Perfect for classroom settings and outreach events, new educational brochures and digital resources share important boating safety information to prepare boaters for a safe day on the water. Developed by the National Safe Boating Council in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, these materials address contributing factors in recreational boating accidents.

Infographic Available: New Life Jacket Label

Did you know there is a new life jacket label? The label is being phased in and you may see it printed on the inside of a new life jacket. The new label DOES NOT make obsolete life jackets with the old label. Always look for a life jacket that is U.S. Coast Guard approved.

‘Extremely active’ hurricane season possible for Atlantic Basin

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been off to a rapid pace with a record-setting nine named storms so far and has the potential to be one of the busiest on record. Historically, only two named storms form on average by early August, and the ninth named storm typically does not form until October 4. An average season produces 12 named storms, including six hurricanes of which three become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5).

Video Offers Look at First-in-the-Nation Recreational Boat Recycling Program

With the move to phase 2 of the Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling (RIFVR) Pilot Program to address the disposal issue of recreational boats, project managers have released “Facing the Legacy: Lifecycle Solutions for Fiberglass Boats.” The short video shares the compelling story of how those efforts have evolved into a first-in-the-nation boat recycling project.

Merger Between Mustang Survival & MTI Adventurewear

Two brands with rich histories, evolving in an ever-changing landscape, building solutions engineered to encourage you to live beyond land. In a year that has presented many changes in how we experience life from accessing our groceries to connecting with friends and experiencing the outdoors, Mustang Survival & MTI Adventurewear are teaming up to change the way we deliver the gear that gets you out on the water.

Learn Boating Navigational Rules for FREE with Boat On Course

Boat On Course, FREE educational boating safety videos from the National Safe Boating Council in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, teach the basic navigation rules of boating. Boaters may watch at their own pace and test their knowledge at the end of each video with a short quiz.

Skipper Club to bolster teens’ boating skills

The Skipper Club will set sail this weekend at Lake Allatoona to sharpen the boating skills of area teens. To provide this on-water instruction to ages 13 to 19, Georgia Boat Safety and Training has joined forces with the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Safe Boating Council.

NSBC Member Connection E-Newsletter

News and updates about our programs, industry happenings, member spotlights and more from the National Safe Boating Council. In this issue: New NSBC Website, Skipper Club™ Launches in Georgia, Start and Stop Without Keys with CoastKey, Become a Boating Safety Advocate, 5 Neck Gaiters for $25, and more.

Become a Boating Safety Advocate

Maybe you’ve read the statistics, heard the stories, or experienced the dangers of the water firsthand. For instance, in 2019, 86% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. In partnership with localized grassroots efforts, the Safe Boating Campaign is working to educate the public and reverse this statistic.

Skipper Club™ Launches in Georgia

Research shows that Gen-Z boaters (those born between 1995-2009) are an inherently more cautious generation than their Millennial & Gen-X predecessors. This could be the generation that views boating safety practices as “the norm” – and Skipper Club can help prepare these young boaters for the waterway.

Congress Advances Key Boating Safety Priorities

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. NMMA played a critical role in shaping the bill—which includes key provisions that would improve the safety of the millions of Americans who take to the water each year.

Risky Drinking Can Put a Chill on Your Summer Fun

Summer is typically a wonderful season for outdoor activities and spending additional time with family and friends. For some people, these activities include drinking alcoholic beverages. In light of the coronavirus pandemic as well as the negative consequences associated with drinking, it is particularly important this summer to take measures to protect your own health and that of your loved ones. This includes following the everyday practices recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus.

2019 U.S. Powerboat Market Released

US Powerboat Market includes all recreational powerboats (including PWCs) registered in the US as of year-end 2019. Not included are sailboats and self-propelled craft such as canoes and kayaks.