Champion’s Point of View

Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council magazine by RADM Kevin S. Cook , U.S. Coast Guard Director of Prevention Policy

Since the enactment of the Federal Boat Safety Act in 1971, the number of registered boats has soared to nearly 13 million. And with the relative explosion of unregistered “paddle craft” (kayaks, canoes, etc.), the true number of recreational boats cannot be known for sure.

But what is known—and what the Coast Guard and its partners are so proud of—is that since the 1971 act, the number of fatalities has plummeted from a record high of 1,754 deaths in 1973 to 736 deaths in 2009.

Even so, we collectively in government, industry, non-profits, and advocacy groups must do better. And together we can!

I hope these blog posts will enlighten you as to the diverse partners involved in the National Recreational Boating Safety Program and challenge you to think about what we can all do to make boating safer.

For more information:
Full article is available at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/fall2010.

Subscribe online at http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/subscribe.asp.