National Boating Federation
Welcome from the National Boating Federation
WHAT IS NBF?
Founded in 1966, the National Boating Federation (NBF) is the largest non-profit, nationwide alliance of recreational boating organizations. The Federation is composed of boating and yacht clubs and their associations representing over 2,000,000 of America's recreational boaters.
NBF promotes safe boating through education, acts as a legislative watchdog and advocates for favorable boating legislation, regulations and best management practices.
The membership represents no commercial interests and sells no products. The Officers and Directors are all volunteers with strong backgrounds in all aspects of recreational boating. Our membership spans the continent from Canada to Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.
You can count on YOUR National Boating Federation's continuing commitment to the wise and direct use of YOUR boat tax dollars for YOUR benefit … be it adequate access to our ocean waterways, lakes and rivers, right of passage and of anchoring, or promotion of our prudent exercise of those rights. NBF works to avoid onerous legislation and promotes good legislation.
Here is What's New at NBF
April 19, 2013
The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing to charge an annual fee of $26.00 for the renewal of certificates of documentation for recreational boats. While the Coast Guard charges to issue new certificates of documentation for boats, currently there is no charge for annual renewal.
This fee will only apply if your boat is federally documented and would be in addition to any state registration fees. For current information on federal vessel documentation, visit the United States Coast Guard Documentation Center.
Please forward this information to fellow boaters with documented vessels. If you have any additional questions, please contact BoatU.S. Government Affairs at GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com.
Read NBF's response from President Carolyn Belmore to the Department of Transportation...
National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan
White House - President Obama issued a notice stating that, to turn the National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes into on-the-ground (or on-the-water) actions to benefit the American people, the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan has been developed. The Implementation Plan is intended to describe specific actions federal agencies will take to address key ocean challenges, give states and communities greater input into federal decisions, streamline federal operations, save taxpayer dollars, and promote economic growth. (4/16/13).
The Outdoor Industry Association Releases State-by-State Economic Reports
The Outdoor Industry Association has recently released their state-by-state economic reports. Outdoor recreation, including recreational boating and fishing, is an economic powerhouse in the United States, each year generating $646 billion in consumer spending and 6.1 million direct jobs. The online tool allows users to hover over a state on the map to learn more, or click to download a PDF of the state's full report. Use the tool, or download resources here.
EPIRB/PLB - The Life You Save Could Be Your Own
(Downloadable in a printable format or a PowerPoint file)
Recreational Boaters... An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency. It does this by transmitting a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency to a satellite that is then relayed by earth stations to the nearest rescue coordination center within moments of activation. EPIRBs that are equipped with a built-in GPS enables the rescue sources to more accurately identify your position and respond to the emergency. Personal Location Beacons (PLB) are another type of 406 MHz emergency signaling devise. Usually smaller than an EPIRB, these devices are designed for individual personal use. There are many models available and functions can vary. These are not recommended for maritime use unless they are fully waterproof and can be submerged. |
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NBF Developed Safety Brochures Now Available Online...
The U.S. Coast Guard disseminated a Marine Safety Bulletin on 9-1-11 regarding recreational boaters and commercial mariners obtaining a MMSI number to go along with their Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios. In response to their urgent safety warning the National Boating Federation in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard developed a new brochure, "DSC – Digital Selective Calling – Today’s SOS”. This brochure provides simple instructions on the requirements to enable boaters and mariners to be compliant with the new Rescue 21 program. Most importantly, it enhances the Coast Guard’s capability to more effectively respond to a DSC distress call.
9-1-2011 Marine Safety Bulletin:
'As the Coast Guard’s new marine radio network Rescue 21 becomes operational throughout the U.S., rescue centers can now receive instant distress alerts from commonly used DSC-capable VHF marine radios. However, approximately 90% of VHF DSC distress alerts received by the Coast Guard do not contain position information, and approximately 60% do not contain a registered identity. The Coast Guard cannot effectively respond to a DSC distress alert sent from such a radio.'
NBF has also authored another brochure which points out the advantages of having a VHF radio on your vessel, however, if a cell phone is your only means of communication, there are specific instructions that should be followed.
The National Boating Federation is requesting that you download our "DSC - Digital Selective Calling - Today's SOS" brochure and our "Cell Phone Brochure - Only You Can Take the Search out of Search and Rescue!' and invites your use and dissemination of the information in our brochures for purposes of promoting marine safety in classes, public affairs and group presentations.
Click to Download the Brochures:
"DSC - Digital Selective Calling - Today's SOS" Brochure
"Cell Phone Brochure - Only You Can Take the Search out of Search and Rescue"
Email your order for an NBF burgee. Only $20.00 (includes shipping)
Please indicate "NBF Burgee" in the subject line