Safe Boating Campaign www.safeboatingcampaign.com 

WEAR IT! Welcome to the 2012 North American Safe Boating Campaign! As National Safe Boating Week (May 19–25, 2012) and the season approaches, we are preparing for another campaign to spread the message of safe and responsible boating. This year, we will continue to educate the boating community about life jacket wear and the options that are available when it comes to comfortable and lightweight life jackets (Life Jacket Information). We are also working closely with our partner organizations to create a larger grassroots network and create a more consistent campaign message. We are hoping these collaborative efforts will increase awareness about the importance of always wearing life jackets while on the water. 

Once again all of your campaign materials including the order form for your free resources will be available only from the website, www.safeboatingcampaign.com. The website may look a little different, but all of the resources you’re used to are still there. Look under “Campaign Resources” to order your informational materials, and check out “Communications” to view press releases, the 2012 NSBW Proclamation, and to download PSAs and graphics. Items such as activity sheets and information for kids, information on life jackets, and the recently-released United States Coast Guard Statistics can be found under “Educational Resources.” For FAQ and links to our campaign partners, check out “Wear It Campaign.” To let people in your area know about events you are holding or to view other events in your area, go to “Events.” Also, check out our Message Board where you can exchange ideas and information with other campaign planners.

This year, we’re encouraging you to become a part of the national campaign more than ever. We’re asking boaters from across the country to share their own “Wear It!” efforts by submitting personal PSAs and boating safety message videos. We’ll even broadcast them on the campaign website as well as the campaign YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook sites!

We hope that we have provided you with all of the resources necessary to supplement your own efforts in your area. Remember this is YOUR campaign. If there is anything you feel would make this campaign more useful to you, please let us know by filling out a campaign evaluation. With your support, we can continue to reduce the number of recreational boating fatalities and help to save lives. If you have any questions about the campaign or its materials, please contact the National Safe Boating Council at (703) 361-4294 or via e-mail at outreach@safeboatingcouncil.org.

Have a fun and safe boating season and remember to WEAR IT!!

FREE RESOURCES!!!!  http://www.boatingorders.com/freeproducts.html 

Free Resources

CHECK BACK MARCH 2012 to again order the campaign's FREE RESOURCES! We bring you free resources through the North American Safe Boating Campaign. Free resources have been clearly identified with this separate product category. Our free resources do have quantity restrictions. These limitations help us ensure that an equitable amount of these resources are being distributed to as many organizations as possible throughout the annual campaign term. All products are subject to change in availability, while supplies last. Free resources, within quantity limits specified, are shipped free to you by courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard grant.

5 Tons and No Brakes brochure

FREE! This brochure has practical

suggestions for houseboat safety.

ACA Boating Safety Placards

The American Canoe Association (ACA) has four new waterproof placards available.

Almost a Perfect Day: Environmental

Stressors Almost a Perfect Day:

Environmental Stressors - how will

they affect your day on the water?

Best Practices for Paddlers and Paddlesport Programs

brochure FREE! Learn how to “dress for success” when paddling and

the gear and supplies you will need.

Boat Handling Guide Decal

(English version) FREE! This 4” x 6”

decal can be placed on your boat and used as a quick reference guide

for boat handling, including information

on channel buoys, signaling and basic “Rules of the Road."

Boat Handling Guide Decal

(Spanish version) FREE! This 4” x 6”

decal (translated into Spanish) can be placed on your boat and used as a quick reference

guide for boat handling, including information

on channel buoys, signaling and basic “Rules of the Road.”

Choose to Boat Safely brochure

FREE! This brochure covers most aspects of safe boating

in a refreshing positive outlook. It encourages the fun

aspects of boating while covering the safety knowledge

and items we all need reminded of.

Cold Water Survival brochure

FREE! This brochure discusses how to prevent,

assess and treat hypothermia.

Federal Requirements and Safety Tips pamphlet

FREE! The U.S. Coast Guard produces this 50-page pamphlet containing

information about Federal boating laws, equipment requirements, and safety

recommendations for recreational vessels.

Global Marine Distress & Safety

System for Recreational Boaters

booklet FREE! The Global

Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

is an international system using advanced

communication technology.

How to Choose the Right Life Jacket brochure

FREE! This full-color brochure offers information and photos about all of the different types

of life jackets available for today’s boaters.

Life Jacket Safety Leader roll of

stickers FREE! These small round stickers are a

great handout for kids at boat shows or safety events and can also be used in mailings or on envelopes as a colorful display of the life jacket

message.

North American Safe Boating Campaign

small poster FREE! This full-color poster measures 11 x 17 inches and is to be

used for display at marinas, parks,

schools, stores and events. Please order

quickly, supply is limited.

Paddler's Safety Checklist brochure

FREE! This brochure gives information on pre-trip

planning, proper behavior and etiquette while paddling and

discusses different water conditions.

Play It Safe on the Water handout

FREE! This small, laminated handout contains a variety of

useful boating safety information on general water safety, hypothermia survival,

safety equipment, water safety and alcohol, and

important boating safety contact information.

Practices, Ethics and Conduct brochure FREE! This brochure

discusses basic safe paddling practices and the standards of

conduct when paddling including proper

environmental ethics.

River Paddler's Guide to Rescue brochure

FREE! Learn the essentials of river safety including

preparation and prevention, shore-based rescues and

boat-based rescues.

Rules of the Road brochure FREE! Learn what paddlers need to know to make their

paddling trip safe and enjoyable.

Safe Boating Tips for Anglers, Hunters and

Campers booklet FREE! The booklet

covers safe boating tips for anglers, hunters

and campers.

"Saved by the Signal" brochure

FREE! Find out if you are U. S. Coast Guard compliant. This brochure lists the U.S.

Coast Guard’s visual distress signal requirements.

The 2nd USPS National Safe

Boating Test/OUT OF STOCK

FREE! The 2nd USPS National Safe Boating Test is designed for

testing boaters’ knowledge on topics important to the safe

enjoyment of recreational boating.

Wear It! Silkscreened decal FREE! The sticker is wonderful for getting the attention of young children or could be

used in material sent to the press.

Wear It! Lifejackets Matter brochure

This brochure discusses the necessity of lifejacket wear

and gives an overview of the different types of lifejackets

available.

Wear Your Life Jacket brochure

FREE! This brochure is designed to educate

recreational boaters about life jacket facts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity Sheets 

 

SHEET 1 SHEET 2 SHEET 3

SHEET 4 SHEET 5 SHEET 6

SHEET 7 SHEET 8 SHEET 9

SHEET 10 SHEET 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NASBLA Resources Marketing & Advertising Research Catalog (MARC)

The NASBLA Marketing & Advertising Research Catalog is a collection of materials dealing with a variety of boating safety issues. The collection features audio and video PSAs, brochures, graphics, materials and photos from participating states and organizations. We hope that these materials will help with your own projects and outreach efforts. If you have any questions about the content you see here, please contact the person listed from the originating state or organization or you may contact Tom Hayward, NASBLA’s Marketing and Development Manager. NASBLA YouTube Page Contact Ron Sarver or Tom Hayward Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/NASBLASafeBoating National Safe Boating Council Download print materials: http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/resources/index.htm Audio and Video PSAs: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/psas.htm Audio and Video News Releases: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/anr-vnr.htm NSBC "Wear It" logos: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/logos.htm NSBC Posters: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/posters.htm Life Jacket Sidebars: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/pfd-posters.htm Campaign Ads: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/camp-ads.htm NSBC Photo Library: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.net/photo-library.htm Belt Pack Demonstration: http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/belt-pack-demo/belt-pack.htm "Wear It California" PSAs: http://www.boatingsidekicks.com/belt-pack-demo/belt-pack.htm "Wear It Tennessee" PSAs: http://www.wearittennessee.com/tn-psas.htm Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Contact: Tim Smalley – tim.smalley@dnr.state.mn.us Video PSAs on a variety of topics including life jacket wear, drinking and boating, use of navigation lights, hunting safety and children’s safety while boating. Link: http://www.youtube.com/tmsmalley Nevada Department of Wildlife Contact: Edwin Lyngar - elyngar@ndow.org Radio PSA: "Don't Make the News" Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservaion Commission Contact: Brian Rehwinkel - brian.rehwinkel@myfwc.com Video PSA "The Last Thing" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svukLX4KkSI Video PSA "Never Forget" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIZUSY-JTlg Radio PSA "The Last Thing" http://nasbla.net/multimedia/Last Thing Radio Wear It FL Tag1‐30.mp3  Radio PSA "Never Forget" http://nasbla.net/multimedia/Never Forget WearItFL tag 02‐08‐08.mp3  New York State Office of Parks and Recreation Contact: Brian Kempf - brian.kempf@oprhp.state.ny.us Video PSA "Wear Your Life Jacket" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SLo3qwYOlU Alabama Marine Police Contact: Captain Bob Huffaker - bob.huffaker@dcnr.alabama.gov Video PSA "Keep Your Head Above Water" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCeX99Ib46Y

Video PSA "Don't Become a Statistic" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShTcHiKh1Zk  

 

Reference Guide 

Boating Education example used 

Boating Education Requirements [Table 2.1]

State

Does your state require mandatory

boating safety education for

some segment of the

population?

Who is required to complete a boating

education course in your state?

Are only residents of your state required to complete a

boating education course?

Other, please specify

Alabama Yes In general, anyone 12 years old or older who operates a

vessel on state waters. No

Alaska No No one Other, please specify See 11

American Samoa Yes PWC operators 18 and

under

Arizona No Only volunteer boating

safety education instructors for the agency.

Other, please specify N/A

Arkansas Yes Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 No

Australia British Columbia

California Yes

State law allows courts to order any boat operator that

is convicted of a moving violation. Violators must take and successfully

complete course

No

Colorado Yes

A person 14 YOA or older, who is less than 16 YOA, may operate a motorboat

only if he or she has completed an approved boating safety course.

No

Connecticut Yes

All residents or owners of real property or anyone

wishing to boat morethan 60 days in a year

Other, please specify

also people boating greater

than 60 days per year

Delaware Yes any person born on or after Jan 1st 1978 No

District of Columbia Yes All persons No

Florida Yes

Operators of vessels powered by motors of 10hp or more who are 21 years

of age, or younger. In addition, anyone convicted

of a criminal boating violation, a non-criminal boating safety infraction that resulted in a boating

accident, or two non-criminal boating safety

infractions with in a twelve-month period is required to

enroll, attend and successfully complete a classroom boating safety

course.

No

Georgia Yes Age 12 to 15 to operate certain vessels on their

own. No

Guam No Hawaii Yes All operators of PWCs No

Idaho No

People renting a PWC, boat operators convicted of OUI, repeat offenders of boating

laws

Illinois Yes

persons at least 12 years old and less than 18 years

old, if they wish to operate a motorboat by themselves

No

Indiana Yes

All vessel operators are required to possess a valid

drivers license with exception of 15 yr olds who have taken and passed a boater education course

and possesses an Indiana Identification card.

Yes

Iowa Yes 12 through 17 year olds

who operate a motorboat over 10 h.p. or a PWC.

No

Kansas Yes

anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 and under 21 years of age regardless

of date of birth.

No

Kentucky Yes Those between the ages of 12 and 17 No

Louisiana Yes under the age of 16 No

Maine Yes 16 & 17 yr. olds who will operate a PWC. No

Manitoba (Canada)

Maryland Yes Anyone born on or after

July 1, 1972 who is operating a motorized

No

vessel on MD waters must have a valid certificate of boating safety education

Massachusetts Yes

Any person of at least 12 years of age and less than

16 yoa, operating a motorboat without adult

supervision. PWC users 16 and 17 years of age.

(PWC's cannot be operated by youth less than 16 yoa).

No

Michigan Yes

Those less than 12 years of age: May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower

(hp) legally without restrictions. May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more

than 35 hp legally only if they are directly supervised

on board by a person at least 16 years of age. May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35

hp legally under any conditions. Those 12 to 15

years of age: May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp legally without restrictions. May

operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp legally only if they: Have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural

Resources and have on board their boating safety

certificate or ... Are accompanied on board by a person at least 16 years of

age

Minnesota Yes Ages 12-17 to operate a motorboat over 25 HP

Other, please specify

Any boat operator 12-17 y/o resident or

non res

Mississippi Yes Persons born after June 30, 1980 No

Missouri Yes Any person born after January 1, 1984 No

Montana yes

Youth 13 and 14 years of age must either complete a boating education course or

be accompanied by an adult in order to operate a motorboat or PWC with a

motor greater than 10 horsepower.

No

Nebraska Yes all motorboat operators 14 to 18 No

Nevada yes

Persons born on or after Jan. 1 1983 who operate

motorboats of more than 15 hp on interstate waters.

Other, please specify

People from states with a requirement must meet it

New Hampshire Yes

Everyone 16 years of age or older operating a vessel

over 25 horsepower. No

New Jersey Yes

All PWC operators, all other power vessel operators

born in 1959 and later June 1, 2008, all other power

vessel operators boarn in 1949 and later. June 1, 2009, all power vessel

operators, regardless of DOB

No

New Mexico Yes Those born on or after Jan 1, 1989. No

New York Yes

operators of pwc over the age of 14 children between the age of 10 and 18 that

want to operate a mechanically proppled boat,

other than a pwc, alone

No

North Carolina Yes

PWC operators between 14 and 16 years of age if they

want to operate on their own.

No

North Dakota Yes

No person of twelve through fifteen years of age may operate a motorboat

(includes personal watercraft, i.e. jetskis, etc.)

propelled by over a ten horsepower motor unless

the operator is accompanied by a person eighteen years of age or older or the operator has

taken and passed a boating course approved by the

Department.

No

Northern Mariana Islands

No All No

Ohio Yes

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a powerboat

greater than 10 horsepower.

No

Oklahoma Yes All persons from 12 to less than 16 years of age. No

Ontario (Canada) Oregon Yes boaters 12 and older Yes

operating a motorboat greater than 10 horsepower

Pennsylvania Yes

Operators born after January 1, 1982 to operate motorboats greater than 25

horsepower and all operators of PWC.

No

Puerto Rico Yes All borned after July 1rst, 1972 Yes

Quebec (Canada)

Rhode Island Yes

All PWC Operators and anyone born after 1-1-86

operating a vessel powered by an engine of 10 or more

horsepower

Other, please specify

We require PWC renters to take a

course

South Carolina Yes

Persons younger than 16 years of age that operate a

boat powered by 15 horsepower greater engine

by themselves.

South Dakota No NA Other, please specify NA

Tennessee Yes TN Resident born after

1/1/89 must pass a proctored exam

No

Any person (resident or non-

resident) who was born after Jan. 1, 1989

must show proof they have

completed an approved

NASBLA course.

Texas Yes Operators between ages 13-17 years No

Utah Yes Personal Watercraft

operators 12 through 17 years old

No

Vermont Yes Any person born after January 1, 1974. No

Virgin Islands

Virginia Yes

Currently only ages 14 and 15 for personal watercraft.

Beginning July 1, 2009 compliance with boating safety education will be

phased in according to age category.

Yes

Washington Yes

Operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or

greater, must be 12 years of age or older. Is being

phased in beginning January 2008 starting with

12 to 20 year olds and increasing age each year until fully implemented in

Other, please specify

non residents may operate for

60 days

2014.

West Virginia Yes Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1986

Other, please specify

Out of state boater are

exempt for 30 days.

Wisconsin Yes Anyone born on or after 1-1-89 and who is at least 16

years No

Wyoming No No  

 

RBFF Resources    Passport to Fishing & Boating

The Passport to Fishing & Boating Program provides skills, techniques and information that novices need to begin boating and fishing in their communities. Each of the six hands-on stations focuses on a key participation aspect and includes strong conservation messages. Straightforward, effective, inexpensive and FUN, the Passport Program is designed to be:

• Administered by expert or lay volunteers • Adjustable to highlight geography, activities and species unique to a particular area • Appealing to varying age and interest groups • Appropriate for mixed skill and education levels

• Adaptable to diverse settings, whether landlocked or at the water’s edge • Accessible throughout the year

Attracting newcomers – especially young people – is a cornerstone of the RBFF mission. And the Passport to Fishing & Boating Program has proven to be a successful, engaging youth education campaign.

Passport Stations

Six different "hands-on" stations with activities focused on fishing, boating and aquatic stewardship have been developed for family participation. The program is designed to give participants the chance to be actively involved in each of the activities. Studies show that information is remembered better when participants physically do things and actively think about the activity compared to when they listen to a lecture of the same material.

Six groups of about 10 people each, rotate between the six stations, accommodating a total of 60 people at one time. Stations may be completed in any order. Reading levels and activities are designed for 4th grade, about age 10, with whole family participation.

The Program takes about an hour and 45 minutes for participants to rotate through all six stations:

• Fish Habitat & Handling Station Section one has participants build a watershed to help them understand how to promote healthy places to fish and boat. Section two teaches the parts of a fish and how to handle and release them safely.

• Fishing Knots & Rigging Station Participants learn how to assemble a basic rigging – including how to tie a Clinch knot – that is environmentally friendly and how to identify baits, lures and flies that attract fish.

• Casting Station Following safety instruction, participants get their hands on rods with push-

button spincast reels for practical learning and practice casting at targets. Casting from a boat is also covered.

• Smart Boating, Safe Boating Station A virtual boat ride teaches participants the importance of wearing life jackets and how to select them properly; then it explores Reach, Throw, Row and Go rescue techniques.

• Ready, Set, Boat Station In this boating basics station, a special game of charades introduces participants to a variety of boating activities, while segment two teaches about essential equipment and how to load a boat.

• Local Information Station Since boating and fishing regulations vary widely, this station gives you the opportunity to customize content to rules, fish identification, places to fish and boat, and opportunities unique to your state.