National Boating Federation
Recreational Boating Concerns & Issues
NBF Positions & Actions- GPS System Concerns
2011 LightSquared GPS Interference Potential
2011 GPS Backup Request to USCG
-
Anchoring Restrictions by Local Governmental Units Surrounding Municipal Mooring Fields
The National Boating Federation advocates that all states within the United States pass legislation limiting the powers of local municipalities to restrict the safe, free anchoring of recreational vessels throughout the states’ navigable waters, while anchored outside of established mooring fields. Except in designated mooring fields, and within reasonable anchoring set-back requirements surrounding such mooring fields, municipalities should have no authority to regulate where typical cruising vessels may anchor.
Read the entire position statement regarding state enacted boat anchoring laws...
-
Local Area Maritime Security Committees
At the Annual Meeting of the NBF held on March 25-26 2011 , the importance of Local Area Safety Committees was discussed. These committees are formed by the U. S. Coast Guard’s Sector Commanders. Unless the recreational boating community is represented in these committees, the interests and legitimate concerns of recreational boaters may not be considered if and when maritime security issues arise, and which may restrict recreational boating activities.
It is the recommendation of the NBF that all recreational boating organizations involve themselves in these committees.
For your community’s U. S. Coast Guard Area Maritime Security Committee Point of Contact, please contact NBF.
Take me to the "Contact NBF" page...
Recreational boaters -- get involved! Don’t miss this opportunity.
-
Mandatory Life Jacket Wear
In light of a recent recommendation by the National Boating Safety Advisory Council, and by the test program undertaken by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Boating Federation reviewed its recommendation on mandatory life jacket wear at the meeting in Dallas, TX on October 8, 2011.
In a letter from NBF President Fred W. Poppe to Rear Admiral James Watson, Director, Marine Safety, Security & Stewardship, USCG:
"As you know, NBSAC’s resolution recommended that the U. S. Coast Guard initiate a project to require mandatory life jacket wear on vessels under 18 feet in length while underway, subject to appropriate exemptions which are to be determined. Our resolution of support of NBSAC Resolution #2011-87-01 was approved by our Executive Committee at its Semi-Annual Meeting held on 8 October 2011. Our mission is to promote safe boating through education¸ and it advocates for favorable boating legislation, regulations, and best practices. Within these parameters¸ we support the U. S. Coast Guard’s Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program."
Download the NBSAC (Resolution Number 2011-87-01) "Appropriate Regulations for Life Jacket Wear by Recreational Boaters" Resolution...
USACE Study: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Test Program
Excerpt from the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) Meeting on April 1-2, 2011
-
Ethanol E15
Position Statement Regarding Proposed Warning Labeling for E15 Blended Gasolines
Petition for Rulemaking Requiring Availability of Gasoline Blends of Less Than or Equal to 10% Ethanol
BRP Engineer Testifies on Dangers of E15 (54 Pages)
CBYCA E15 Position Letter to Representative Steny Hoyer
Department of Energy: E15 Causes "Severe Damage" to Marine Engines
October 25, 2011
WASHINGTON – The results from two studies conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the effects of E15 on marine engines were released on Friday, showing that the gasoline and ethanol blend can cause issues including drivability, materials compatibility, increased emissions, and long-term durability in outboard, stern drive and inboard engines, according to the release.
The High Ethanol Fuel Endurance study tested the effects of E15 and E0 on four-stroke and two-stroke Mercury outboard engines that included the 9.9HP four-stroke, the Verado 300HP Supercharged four-stroke and the 200 EFI two-stroke.
In addition to increase fuel consumption in two of the engines, the study showed that E15 caused damage to two out of three outboards and complete failure in the Verado 300HP engine, as well as “degraded emissions performance outside of engine certification limits,” according to the release.
The results of the study reinforced the industry’s concerns about proper warning labeling at fueling stations. In September, the NMMA, along with the Engine Products Group, filed a suit challenging the rules regarding gas pump misuse controls for gas pumps containing up to 15 percent Ethanol.
According to the NMMA, the new rules would not do enough to prevent possible damage to marine engines from possible misfueling with E15 fuel, and petitioned to require E10 fuel to also be sold at gas stations.
“Current proposals by the ethanol industry to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline should seriously concern all boaters and owners of other small engine equipment,” said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “Although NMMA strongly supports renewable fuels as a means to reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of oil and improve the environment, there is growing evidence that ethanol is not the answer to America’s energy challenge.”
Full versions the studies can be downloaded here: Emissions and Durability Test Fuel Endurance test
-
America's Waterway Watch
A waterborne terrorist attack within the United States is a distinct possibility. When it occurs, such an attack will most likely be carried out by a small, recreational type vessel. That attack will have a profound impact on recreational boating. One can envision restrictions on hours of operation of one’s craft, perhaps limiting the destinations of one’s trip, filing of a float plan that must be adhered to, operator licensing, among other consequences, many of which will be unpredictable.
NBF Position:
Participation in America’s Waterway Watch Program by the recreational boating community must become every boater’s responsibility. It is the one way, and perhaps the best way, in which we as recreational boaters can help avert a waterborne terrorist attack.
To learn more about America’s Waterway Watch Program, or to learn what to watch for visit : http://aww.aww-sp.com.
To report any unusual activities on or near the water, call 877-24 WATCH (877-249-2824)
To keep current on news about America’s Waterway Watch Program, visit: www.facebook.com/aww2.0.
Join your Local Area Maritime Security Committee. For further information on these committees, visit our web site @ www.n-b-f.org, click on the Contact Us button on the top of the page and send us an e-mail. NBF will respond with the contact information for your area.
- Supports universal Boater Safety Education and reciprocity in all 50 States - but not licensing
- Support programs which provide retention of existing boating access facilities and obtaining increased future access
- Strongly advocate permanent funding for the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (Wallop-Breaux)
- Support pump-out facilities at marinas and yacht basins under the Clean Vessel Act
- Support storage of fuel at marine storage facilities
- Prohibiting eminent domain for private business
Current Issues
National Legislative Report - Update
February 2012
Legislative Director
Click here to download this report in a printable format
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Meeting:
The GMDSS meeting took place on 11 January in Arlington VA. The GMDSS Task Force was chartered by the USCG in 1993 and Captain Jack Fuechsel is its Director. The GMDSS Task Force is comprised of a number of marine/communications interests including the USCG, FCC, USPS, USCG Aux and other interest groups including NBF. Some of the reports given and items discussed are as follows:
Rescue 21:
Rescue 21 is the new USCG advanced command, control and communications systems. Rescue 21 has assisted in more than 34, 079 SAR cases, increasing by about 900 cases per month. The East, West and Gulf coasts are fully deployed along with the Great Lakes. 39,685 miles of US coastline are now operational. Total completion is expected by 2013 with the exception of Western rivers and Northern Alaska, which will not be operational until 2014.
In support of Rescue 21, copies of the new NBF-designed DSC brochure were well received by those in attendance. A brief description was given of the brochure’s purpose and that NBF was seeking funding to print a large number of the brochures. An individual from the US Power Squadrons asked if NBF would email the brochure to him so that it could print a thousand copies. He liked the design and message of the brochure and expressed his appreciation of the work NBF has done on this.
Emergency Locator Beacon Requirement (ELBs):
The USCG is considering a requirement for carriage and use of ELBs on recreational vessels when greater than three miles offshore. The Coast Guard has approached the National Boating Safety Advisory Council to request that it consider this issue and submit a recommendation to the Coast Guard. Hawaii already requires an EPIRB or VHF when operating greater than one mile offshore.
GPS Backup:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) completely closed down Loran C operations last year. Now, with the latent realization that a backup is needed in case of GPS outage, the DHS is looking to find a suitable backup for GPS and timing.
