In the USA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is responsible for boating safety. Speaking to a gathering of the Western States Boating Administrators Association (WSBAA) on June 23, 2009, Mark V. Rosenker, Acting Chairman of the NTSB, made a number of points to WSBAA members present about the state of boating safety efforts by the Board to date.

The Chairman noted the good working relationship that exists between the NTSB and WSBAA. The WSBAA has historically supported the goals of the Board over the past 15 years. Among these goals are mandatory boating safety education, wearing of lifejackets by children, off-throttle problems with personal watercraft (PWC), alcohol safety programs, and safety education for renters of PWCs.

Rosenker emphasized that recreational boating safety is an important focus area for the NTSB and noted the Board highlighted the topic in its “Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements for 2009” list. Three current areas of focus for boating safety improvement include mandatory wearing of lifejackets by children in all 50 states, promotion of mandatory boating safety education courses, and that safety instruction be provided by liveries that rent out personal watercraft. The NTSB’s goals for improving recreational boating safety can be viewed at …