The National Safe Boating Council is a

membership organization A membership organization is any organization that allows people or entities to subscribe, and often requires them to pay a membership free or "subscription". Membership organizations typically have a particular purpose, which involves connecting p ...

with over 500 U.S. and International members committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the

boating Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, suc ...

experience. The Council states its commitment as "to providing education and training programs to promote a safe recreational boating experience." The National Safe Boating Council is the leading organization managing the

North American Safe Boating Campaign The Safe Boating Campaign is a year-round campaign focused on spreading the message of boating safety, encouraging boater education, and helping to save lives. It kicks off each year the full week before Memorial Day Weekend with National Safe Boati ...

, uniting the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the many members of the National Safe Boating Council.“Wear It! Campaign”. North American Safe Boating Campaign. http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com. Retrieved 2009-07-29.

History

The National Safe Boating Council was formed in September 1958 as the National Safe Boating Committee to educate boaters about safe boating during

National Safe Boating Week The Safe Boating Campaign is a year-round campaign focused on spreading the message of boating safety, encouraging boater education, and helping to save lives. It kicks off each year the full week before Memorial Day Weekend with United States Feder ...

. The first time there was a week designated to safe boating was in June 1952 when the

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGAUX, CGAux, or USCG Aux) is the uniformed, civilian volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Congress established the unit on 23 June 1939, as the United States Coast Guard Reserve. On F ...

observed a “Safe Boating Week” as a Courtesy Examination weekend in

Amesbury Amesbury () is a town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It is known for the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge which is within the parish. The town is claimed to be the oldest occupied settlement in Great Britain, having been first settl ...

Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...

. This tradition continued until 1957 when an official National Safe Boating Week observation took place sponsored by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in various parts of the country. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard prepared a Resolution, and on June 4, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed PL 85-445, to establish National Safe Boating Week as the first week starting on the first Sunday in June. The National Safe Boating Week Committee, now known as the National Safe Boating Council, organized the event by coordinating efforts among the various boating safety groups. In 1995, the date for National Safe Boating Week was finally changed to the full week (Saturday – Friday) before

Memorial Day Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It i ...

Weekend each year. This allowed the message of safe boating to reach more boaters before the season and enforce the message for a longer amount of time each year. The National Safe Boating Week Committee branched out on its own as the National Safe Boating Committee, Inc. in 1973 to lead major boating safety efforts. The following year, the committee was reincorporated as the National Safe Boating Council, Inc.“National Safe Boating Council”. National Safe Boating Council. http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org. Retrieved 2009-07-29. In 2000, US Congressman

Mario Biaggi Mario Biaggi (October 26, 1917 – June 24, 2015) was an American politician, attorney, and police officer. He served ten terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1969 to 1988. Prior to his political car ...

was inducted into the National Safe Boating Council’s Boating Safety Hall of Fame. During his tenure in office he was Chairman of the

United States House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries The United States House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries is a defunct United States Congressional committee, committee of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. House of Representatives. The Committee on Merchant Marine and Fish ...

Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Navigation. The Council’s efforts are led by Executive Director Peg Phillips. Phillips serves as the technical content advisor in direct support of the NSBC’s education, training and outreach programs; plans and develops national boating safety awareness projects and campaigns; and serves as a representative of the NSBC to national and international organizations. Phillips is joined by the NSBC Communications Director, Yvonne Pentz, and support staff.

Membership

Currently, the Council has a membership of over 500 individuals and organizations. These organizations are federal, state and local agencies involved in recreational boating safety and educational activities, national and regional nonprofit public service organizations, and boating industry organizations. They represent, advocate, and champion boating safety nationally and internationally.

Programs

The Council promotes and sponsors boating safety instructor training courses and programs including: Safe Boating Campaign : A worldwide effort focused on responsible boating, encouraging boaters to always wear a

life jacket A personal flotation device (PFD; also referred to as a life jacket, life preserver, life belt, Mae West, life vest, life saver, cork jacket, buoyancy aid or flotation suit) is a flotation device in the form of a vest or suit that is worn by a u ...

while on the water. Get Connected : Designed to educate boaters about different engine cut-off device technologies currently available on the market, and how the use of such devices can proactively make a day on the water safer. Waves of Hope : A single point of engagement for anyone affected by a boating accident to connect with others who have been impacted and to actively educate the public about how to prevent boating tragedies.

Annual conference

In 1997, the Council joined with the National Water Safety Congress (NWSC) and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to create one, annual event called the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS). The IBWSS is the premier event for training, awareness, meeting and networking for anyone involved in boating and water safety.

References

External links