National Safe Boating Council
Encyclopedia
The National Safe Boating Council is a membership organization with over 330 U.S. and Canadian members committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the boating
experience. The Council is committed to providing education programs to promote the safety of the recreational boating experience.
The National Safe Boating Council is a partner organization supporting the North American Safe Boating Campaign
, which unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the many members of the National Safe Boating Council.
.
The first time there was a week designated to safe boating was in June 1952 when the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary observed a “Safe Boating Week” as a Courtesy Examination weekend in Amesburg, Massachusetts. This tradition continued until 1957 when an official National Safe Boating Week observation took place sponsored by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in various parts of the country.
As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard prepared a Resolution, and on June 4, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed PL 85-445
, to establish National Safe Boating Week as the first week starting on the first Sunday in June. The National Safe Boating Week Committee, now known as the National Safe Boating Council, organized the event by coordinating efforts among the various boating safety groups. In 1995, the date for National Safe Boating Week was finally changed to the full week (Saturday – Friday) before Memorial Day
Weekend each year. This allowed the message of safe boating to reach more boaters before the season and enforce the message for a longer amount of time each year.
The National Safe Boating Week Committee branched out on its own as the National Safe Boating Committee, Inc. in 1973 to lead major boating safety efforts. The next year, the committee was reincorporated as the National Safe Boating Council, Inc.
The Council’s efforts are led by Executive Director Virgil Chambers. Chambers served in the United States Navy
then joined the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
, where he served as chief of the Boating Safety and Education Division from 1978 to 1996. He developed and implemented the Pennsylvania Public School Boating and Water Safety Program. He also founded the National Association for Search and Rescue water rescue training program and served as director of this national program from 1987 to 1997.
Chambers has been the Executive Director for the National Safe Boating Council since 1996, where he serves as the technical content advisor in direct support of the Council’s education and information programs. He is responsible for the planning and development of the year-round national boating safety awareness campaign administrated by the U.S. Coast Guard
. He also serves as a representative of the Council to national and international boating and water safety organizations. He serves on the Education Committees of National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.
- Boating safety instructor training course – a partnership training program between the Council and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators designed to recognize the instructor candidate’s prior training and instructor experience.
- Close-quarters boat control course – a defensive boat handling and close quarter control course that focuses on maneuvers and techniques for enforcement officers and agencies that need good skills in operating power boats while performing their duties.
- Boating Safety Sidekicks – introduced in 2000 for children to learn about safe boating practices and how they can become safer boaters.
- North American Safe Boating Campaign – the official entrance of Canada in 2000 transformed National Safe Boating Week into a larger, international event.
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
experience. The Council is committed to providing education programs to promote the safety of the recreational boating experience.
The National Safe Boating Council is a partner organization supporting the North American Safe Boating Campaign
North American Safe Boating Campaign
The North American Safe Boating Campaign is a year-round campaign focused on spreading the message of boating safety, encouraging boater education, and helping to save lives. It kicks off each year the full week before Memorial Day Weekend with National Safe Boating Week, with focused efforts...
, which unites the efforts of a wide variety of boating safety advocates, including National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the many members of the National Safe Boating Council.
History
The National Safe Boating Council was formed in September 1958 as the National Safe Boating Committee to educate boaters about safe boating during National Safe Boating WeekUnited States federal observances
United States federal observances are days, weeks, months, or other periods designated by the United States Congress for the commemoration or other observance of various events, activities, or topics. These observances differ from Federal holidays in that Federal employees only receive a day free...
.
The first time there was a week designated to safe boating was in June 1952 when the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary observed a “Safe Boating Week” as a Courtesy Examination weekend in Amesburg, Massachusetts. This tradition continued until 1957 when an official National Safe Boating Week observation took place sponsored by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in various parts of the country.
As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard prepared a Resolution, and on June 4, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed PL 85-445
Public law
Public law is a theory of law governing the relationship between individuals and the state. Under this theory, constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law are sub-divisions of public law...
, to establish National Safe Boating Week as the first week starting on the first Sunday in June. The National Safe Boating Week Committee, now known as the National Safe Boating Council, organized the event by coordinating efforts among the various boating safety groups. In 1995, the date for National Safe Boating Week was finally changed to the full week (Saturday – Friday) before Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
Weekend each year. This allowed the message of safe boating to reach more boaters before the season and enforce the message for a longer amount of time each year.
The National Safe Boating Week Committee branched out on its own as the National Safe Boating Committee, Inc. in 1973 to lead major boating safety efforts. The next year, the committee was reincorporated as the National Safe Boating Council, Inc.
The Council’s efforts are led by Executive Director Virgil Chambers. Chambers served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
then joined the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is the state agency responsible for the regulation of all fishing and boating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
, where he served as chief of the Boating Safety and Education Division from 1978 to 1996. He developed and implemented the Pennsylvania Public School Boating and Water Safety Program. He also founded the National Association for Search and Rescue water rescue training program and served as director of this national program from 1987 to 1997.
Chambers has been the Executive Director for the National Safe Boating Council since 1996, where he serves as the technical content advisor in direct support of the Council’s education and information programs. He is responsible for the planning and development of the year-round national boating safety awareness campaign administrated by the U.S. Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. He also serves as a representative of the Council to national and international boating and water safety organizations. He serves on the Education Committees of National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.
Membership
Currently, the Council supports a volunteer membership of over 330 organizations. These organizations are federal, state and local agencies involved in recreational boating safety and educational activities, national and regional nonprofit public service organizations, and national nonprofit boating industry organizations. Membership is diverse, with approximately 65% of the membership being nonprofit organizations and 35% being for-profit organizations.Programs
The Council promotes and sponsors boating safety instructor training courses and programs including:- Boating safety instructor training course – a partnership training program between the Council and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators designed to recognize the instructor candidate’s prior training and instructor experience.
- Close-quarters boat control course – a defensive boat handling and close quarter control course that focuses on maneuvers and techniques for enforcement officers and agencies that need good skills in operating power boats while performing their duties.
- Boating Safety Sidekicks – introduced in 2000 for children to learn about safe boating practices and how they can become safer boaters.
- North American Safe Boating Campaign – the official entrance of Canada in 2000 transformed National Safe Boating Week into a larger, international event.