A Comprehensive Review of Boating Safety Programs Nationwide

A Comprehensive Review of Boating Safety Programs

Nationwide

Presented to theNational Association of State Boating Law Administrators

Mark Damian DudaResponsive Management

BOATING PROFESSIONALS

BOATERS

INSIDE-OUT ASSESSMENT

OUTSIDE-IN ASSESSMENT

A Comprehensive Review of Boating Safety Programs Nationwide

Responsive Management

Methodology Multi-modal surveys

• Boating Law Administrators (BLAs)

• Education Coordinators

• conducted March – May 2008

• conducted via personal interviews and telephone

• majority of surveys completed in-person

• NASBLA Spring Boating Law Administrators WorkshopLexington, KY (March 10 – 15, 2008)

• International Boating and Water Safety Summit San Diego, CA (April 15 – 19, 2008)

Nationwide telephone survey of registered boaters• n = 3,750

• conducted August – September 2008• results reported at a 95% confidence interval

• sampling error is + or – 1.6 percentage points


Methodology Focus Groups

• To be completed in Fall 2008

• 4 focus groups of registered boaters


Overview of BLA and Education Coordinator Survey Topics

Boating Safety Issues of Concern Boating Accident Causes Issues Pertaining Specifically to Boating Safety Programs Safety Efforts and Programs Actions to Make Waters Safer Effectiveness of Boating Safety Programs and Perceived Improvements in Safety Needs of Boating Safety Programs Strengths of Boating Safety Programs Weaknesses of Boating Safety Programs Target Audiences for Boating Safety Programs Staffing and Funding for Boating Safety Programs Staffing Volunteers Funding and Budgets Education Program Formats and Topics Reciprocity in Boating Safety Certification


Overview of Registered Boater Survey Topics

Characteristics of Boating Participation Boat Used Most Often and Boat Ownership Awareness of and Opinions on Boating Safety Boating Safety Education Course Participation Characteristics of and Opinions on Boating Safety Education Course Taken Opinions on Boating Safety Education Course Topics and Content Impacts of Course on Boater Behavior Reasons for Not Taking a Boating Safety Education Course Safety Behaviors of Boaters Who Have Not Taken a Boating Safety Education Course Opinions on the Effectiveness of Boating Safety Education Courses Opinions on Mandatory Boating Safety Education Preferred Characteristics of a Boating Safety Education Course Likelihood of Participating in a Boating Safety Education Course Sources of Information Education Programs Involvement in and Characteristics of Boating Accidents


Boating Law Administrators and

Education Coordinators


Boating Safety Issues of Concern



As the the [state] Boating Law Administrator, what types of boating safety issues concern you the most?

(Boating Law Administrators)

7

10

15

15

27

27

32

10

10

7

0 20 40 60 80 100

Not wearing PFDs / life jackets

Alcohol use / BUI / alcohol-related accidents

Education / lack of education

Accidents / fatalities (other / non-specific)

Funding / not enough funding

Need mandatory boating safety education

Overcrowded waterways

Hazardous / special / high risk water conditions (e.g.,cold water, drought, white water rapids)

Kayak / paddle sports / whitewater rafting accidents

Unaware of / not observing rules of navigation

Mu

ltip

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esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent


As the the [state] Boating Education Coordinator, what types of boating safety issues concern you the most?

(Education Coordinators)

6

9

9

55

40

21

17

13

11

6

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

PFDs / life jackets

Alcohol use / BUI / alcohol-related accidents

Accidents / fatalities (other / non-specific)

Unaware of / not observing rules of navigation

Education / lack of education

Kayak / paddle sports / whitewater rafting accidents /issues

Operator / boater inattention

Need to increase public awareness of boating safety /communicate with public

Personal watercraft

Need for / need to expand mandatory boating safetyeducation

PFDs: getting children to wear PFDs

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Boating Accident Causes



What would you say is the main reason that people have boating accidents?


7

10

10

15

15

22

37

10

10

10

0 20 40 60 80 100


Unaware of / not observing rules of navigationor boating laws

Alcohol

Falls overboard

Reckless / careless operation

Lack of experience

Lack of education

Capsizing

Lack of proper lookout

Operator error

Mu

ltip

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esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Effectiveness of Boating Safety Programs and Perceived Improvements in Safety



What types of outreach programs are the most effective for boating safety education programs in the state?

(Education Coordinators)

9

13

15

17

22

26

43

11

11

11

0 20 40 60 80 100

Media (general) / press releases / PSAs / ads

Media: PSAs

Programs for / working with schools

Boat shows

Fairs / public events

Education courses

Billboards

Outreach partners

Website / online

Publications (e.g., brochures, pamphlets)

Mu

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esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

State Outreach Programs and Specific ResultsState Outreach Programs Results or Improvements

California

• “Wear It” campaign• Partner with colleges• Radio ads

Downward trend in accidents and fatalities

Idaho • Appearances at boat shows, fairs, and sportsman’s showsParticipation in education classes has increased 25% to 30%

Minnesota

• TV and radio ads• Work with local boating manufacturers to include PFDs on

model boats• Podcasts with professional anglers• Brochures, PSAs, media interviews, boating guides, and

courses

Accidents and fatalities have decreased sharply

Missouri• Participate in Water Safety Coalition on Lake of the

OzarksSignificantly reduced fatalities following year of program inception

Ohio

• Boat shows, festivals, and marine events• Participate in National Safe Boating Week• “Wear It” campaign• Participate in boating education grant programs• PSAs, billboards, and Websites• Work with marketing group• Partner with Power Squadron and Coast Guard

Boater knowledge of boating laws is increasing, as is general boater satisfaction (measurable positive results over time through surveys)


State Outreach Programs and Specific ResultsState Outreach Programs Results or Improvements

Oklahoma

• Partner with multiple groups (e.g., State Parks, Safe Kids)

• PSAs

• Media fairs and boat shows

• Partner with sporting franchises, professional shops, and gear shops

• Decrease in boating accidents and drowning incidents involving youth

• Increase in youth attendance in boating safety classes

• Increase in awareness of boating dangers and safety precautions

Oregon

• Direct mailings to boat owners and PWC operatorsAccidents involving personal watercraft have decreased

• Participate in Columbia River projectAccidents and fatalities on Columbia River have decreased

Tennessee • “Wear It” campaign

Received a call from a man whose life had been saved by a life jacket he got through the “Wear It” campaign


Target Audiences for Boating Safety Programs



In your opinion, who do you think the highest priority target audience should be for boating safety programs in the state?


2

7

7

15

17

20

24

34

34

7

7

7

0 20 40 60 80 100

Younger adults (ages 18-39)

Males (ages 18-39)

Teenagers (ages 13-18)

Older adults (ages 40-64)

Males ages (40-64)

Children (ages 12 or younger)

Personal watercraft (PWC) operators

New boaters

Males (ages 13-18)

Hunter and anglers

Canoeists and kayakers

Senior citizens (ages 65 or older)

Mu

ltip

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esp

on

ses

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wed

Percent

Education Program Formats and Topics


In 2007, what percentage of completed boating safety education courses in the state were completed online?

(Education Coordinators) (Means for each format.)

31% Online

11% Home study or distance

learning

58% Classroom



Which type of course format do you think is the most effective for increasing safe boating in the state?


7

7

22

78

0 20 40 60 80 100

Classroominstruction

Distancelearning by

Web / online

Home study

Don't know /format doesn't

matter

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent


8

8

15

15

15

23

0 20 40 60 80 100

Paddle boaters and other non-motorized users

Need more local specific information

Inner tubing / wake boarding

Various weather conditions

Hunting and fishing aspects

Law origins

Mu

ltip

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esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Thinking about the specific boating safety education course standard topics for NASBLA-approved courses, what other boating safety topics or additional information

do you think should be covered in boating safety education courses? (Education Coordinators)

Registered Boaters



Awareness of and Opinions on Boating Safety



Overall, do you think that boating in the state you boat most often in is safe or dangerous? (Asked of all boaters.)

40

41

4

10

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very safe

Somewhat safe

Neither safe nor dangerous

Somewhat dangerous

Very dangerous

Don't know

Percent


What would you say is the main reason that people have boating accidents? (Asked of all boaters.)

1

0

0

0

0

4

5

6

11

29

36

1

0

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Alcohol

Reckless / careless operation


Going too fast / speeding

Lack of experience

Don't know the rules of navigation

Immature / operators too young

Not familiar with boating equipment

Didn't take boating safety course

Overcrowding, not enough space in waterway

Drugs

Distractions

Fatigue

Don't know

Percent


In your opinion, what actions could be taken in the state you boat most often in to make public waters safer?

2

2

3

23

12

12

8

4

3

1

1

10

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Maintain more visible law enforcement presence onwaterways

Increase boating safety education course participation

Provide mandatory boating safety education courses

Make boating safety education mandatory

Implement regulations to address specific issues

Increase fines for unsafe watercraft operation

Increase fines for the violation of boating regulations

Provide voluntary boating safety education courses

Increase checks for boating registrations

Programs / outreach to increase PFD / life jacket use

Increase minimum age for operating a watercraft

Nothing

Don't know

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Boating Safety Education Course Participation



What was the format of the most recent state-approved boating safety education certification course / basic boating

safety education course you completed? (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education course.)

80

7

8

4

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Classroominstruction

Home study

Distance learningby Web / online

None of these

Don't know

Percent


How effective would you say this format was for teaching boating safety? Would you say it was very effective,

somewhat effective, or not at all effective? (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education course.)

1

1

23

75

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very effective

Somewhateffective

Not at alleffective

Don't know

Percent

How effective would you say this format was for teaching boating safety? Would you say it was very effective,

somewhat effective, or not at all effective? (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education course.)

1

1

20

78

2

0

43

55

0

59

41

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very effective

Somewhateffective

Not at alleffective

Don't know

Percent

Classroom instruction

Home study

Distance learning by Web /online



In general, how satisfied were you with the course? (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education

course.)

2

0

1

2

17

78

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Somewhat dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Don't know

Percent

In general, how satisfied were you with the course? (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education

course.)

81

14

2

0

0

2

61

32

5

2

0

0

2

30

67

0

0

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very satisfied

Somewhatsatisfied

Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied

Somewhatdissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Don't know

Percent


Home study



Characteristics of and Opinions on Boating Safety Education

Course Taken



Overall, how would you rate the most recent course you completed as a boating safety education course? Would you rate this course as excellent, good, fair, or poor? (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education

course.)

54

40

4

1

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent

Overall, how would you rate the most recent course you completed as a boating safety education course? Would you rate this course as excellent, good, fair, or poor? (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education

course.)

1

0

4

37

58

4

2

5

54

36

2

0

41

50

8

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent


Home study



Impacts of Course on Boater Behavior



In general, do you agree or disagree that you practice safer boating behavior as a result of the most recent boating safety education course you completed? (Asked of those who have

taken at least one boating safety education course.)

1

2

4

3

18

71

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent

In general, do you agree or disagree that you practice safer boating behavior as a result of the most recent boating safety education course you completed? (Asked of those who have

taken at least one boating safety education course.)

1

2

3

3

17

74

0

4

5

4

16

71

3

2

13

48

28

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent


Home study




Percent who always participated in the following BEFORE taking the most recent boating safety education course

he/she completed. (Asked of those who have boated before taking his/her most recent boating safety education course.)

11

29

37

65

62

49

43

42

37

10

0 20 40 60 80 100

Located and checked all safety aids prior to launch

Checked all nav. instruments / lights prior to launch

Properly disposed waste at pump-out / dump stations

Removed all plants and animals / inspected / washedboat to prevent spread of invasive species

Checked the marine radio prior to launch

Required all other passengers to wear life jacket

Fueled boat at a dock

Wore a life jacket while operating or riding on a boat

Filed a float plan with the appropriate agency

Painted or cleaned boat in the water

Percent

Percent who always participates in the following AFTER taking the most recent boating safety education course

he/she completed. (Asked of those who have taken at least one boating safety education course.)

16

36

40

78

74

57

53

48

41

11

0 20 40 60 80 100

Locate and check all safety aids prior to launch

Check all nav. instruments / lights prior to launch

Properly dispose waste at pump-out / dump stations

Remove all plants and animals / inspect / wash boat toprevent spread of invasive species

Check the marine radio prior to launch

Require all other passengers to wear life jacket

Fuel boat at a dock

Wear a life jacket while operating or riding on a boat

File a float plan with the appropriate agency

Paint or clean boat in the water

Percent



Difference between those who participated ALWAYS in the following before and after taking his/her most recent boating

safety education course.

0.44

6.03

6.66

7.67

9.36

11.10

12.92

5.10

4.03

3.17

0 20 40 60 80 100









Fuel boat at a dock


Percent


Difference between those who participated ALWAYS or SOMETIMES in the following before and after taking his/her

most recent boating safety education course.

-1.04

0.64

4.35

5.14

6.16

6.18

6.38

6.67

8.54

10.60

-20 0 20 40 60 80 100


Fuel boat at a dock









Percent

Reasons for Not Taking a Boating Safety Education Course



What are the main reasons you have NOT taken a boating safety education course? (Asked of those who have never

taken a boating safety education course.)

7

0

6

7

10

48

0 20 40 60 80 100

Do not need course

Not enough time

Course is not convenient

Education is not mandatory / required

Cost

Don't know

Mu

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esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Opinions on the Effectiveness of Boating Safety Education Courses



Overall, how effective do you think boating safety education courses are? Would you say very effective, somewhat effective, or not at all effective? (Asked of all boaters.)

15

2

30

53

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very effective

Somewhateffective

Not at alleffective

Don't know

Percent


Percent who thinks boating safety education courses are very effective at the following. (Among all boaters.)

29

36

58

49

43

41

39

38

0 20 40 60 80 100

Increasing awareness of boating safety issues

Increasing boater participation in safe boating

Reducing unsafe and reckless boating practices

Increasing awareness of environmental boating issues

Increasing life jacket use

Reducing improper disposal of waste from boats

Reducing boating practices that are unsafe for theenvironment

Reducing improper alcohol and drug use while boating

Percent

Percent who thinks boating safety education courses are very effective at the following.

44

47

38

36

45

33

37

39

24

21

42

44

46

56

66

68

40

39

29

56

64

62

34

45

47

52

50

0 20 40 60 80 100

Overall boating safety education courseeffectiveness




Increasing awareness of environmental boatingissues


Reducing boating practices that are unsafe forthe environment


Reducing improper alcohol and drug use whileboating

Percent


Home study

Distance learning byWeb / online



Percent who thinks boating safety education courses are not at all effective at the following. (Among all boaters.)

2

3

18

8

7

6

6

6

0 20 40 60 80 100

Reducing improper alcohol and drug use while boating




Increasing awareness of environmental boating issues

Reducing boating practices that are unsafe for theenvironment



Percent

Opinions on Mandatory Boating Safety Education



Would you support or oppose a law making statewide boating safety education mandatory? (Asked of all boaters.)

2

11

14

4

25

45

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderately support

Neither support nor oppose

Moderately oppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent

Preferred Characteristics of a Boating Safety Education Course



If you were to take a boating safety education course in the near future, would you prefer to take a classroom or distance

learning course, such as online or home study courses? (Asked of all boaters.)

6

45

49

0 20 40 60 80 100

Distancelearning

Classroom

No preference

Percent

Sources of Information



Where have you seen advertising for boating safety education courses? (Asked of all boaters.)

28

0

1

1

2

2

2

5

7

7

8

10

15

3

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Newspaper

Magazines

T.V.

Pamphlets / brochures

Posters in public areas

Internet in general

Internet (specific Website)

State boating guidebook / handbook

Posters in private areas

Radio

Boating license packet / application

Local festival / event

Billboards

Public schools

Library

Don't know

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Education Programs



Percent who have heard about any of the following educational programs or campaigns. (Among all boaters.)

17

20

23

26

36

40

6

32

0 20 40 60 80 100

Alcohol Prevention programs

National Safe Boating Week

Life Jacket "Wear It"

Hunter / Angler Awareness programs

Small Boat Awareness programs

Cold Water Immersion / Hypothermia programs

Paddlesports Awareness programs

None of these

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Have you ever participated in the following programs or campaigns? (Asked of those who have heard of the program

or campaign.)

13

86

18

81

15

84

91

8

87

1219

80

8

91

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent



Cold Water Immersion / Hypothermia

Alcohol Prevention

Small Boat Awareness

Hunter / Angler Awareness

Paddlesports Awareness



Have you ever participated in the following programs or campaigns? (Among all boaters.)

3

97

4

96

1

99

97

3

97

3

3

97

3

96

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent




Alcohol Prevention




How effective do you think the following programs or campaigns are? (Asked of those who have heard of the

program or campaign.)

1919

27

42

2

29

38

34

2

25

38

33

0

29

34

6

41

19

6

46

30

25

42

31

3

21

52

8

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very effective

Somewhateffective

Not at alleffective

Don't know

Percent




Alcohol Prevention






What is the best way to provide you with information about boating safety-related programs or campaigns? We are not

sending information at this time; we are just measuring interest. (Asked of all boaters.)

6001111

8911

142022

74

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

T.V.Internet in general / search engine

NewspaperPamphlets / brochures

MagazinesInternet

RadioPosters in public areas

Friends / family / word-of-mouthPosters in private areas

Local festival / eventBillboards

Public schoolsBooks

LibraryDon't know

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent

Source: Colorado State Parks


Health & Medicine

A Comprehensive Review of Boating Safety Programs Nationwide