National Safe Boating Council



Boating Safety Hall of Fame

Application	The National Safe Boating Council honors the following individuals who have shown exemplary leadership and performed outstanding service on behalf of safe boating and the council. All are known as true champions of boating safety.
Official Nomination Form

2008 Boating Safety Hall of Fame

Ruth Wood, NSBC Chair, presents William “Griz” Griswold with the NSBC Boating Safety Hall of Fame Award.	William “Griz” Griswold William Griswold began his 52 year career in boating safety in the U.S. Army, serving in aviation tours and a tour in Vietnam. Retiring in 1993 as Captain after a 37 year military career, Griswold went on to become a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, eventually serving as the Chief Director of the Auxiliary at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He is active in his local Auxiliary unit in Florida and has continued to contribute to the field of boating safety by serving as the Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council and as President of the United Safe Boating Institute and serves on several committees for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Among his awards are: the U. S. Coast Guard and U. S. Power Squadron Eagle Award for Recreational Boating Safety Excellence in 2007, and the National Association of Boating Law Administrator’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. The Coast Guard Auxiliary awarded him the Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal for his contribution to their programs and missions.

2007 Recipients

Scott Swanby Scott Swanby’s quest for boating safety began more than 17 years ago, following the drowning death of a good friend while duck hunting. After that accident, Mr. Swanby embarked on the development of a comfortable and truly wearable inflatable jacket. Mr. Swanby is a dedicated boating safety activist and developer of the first S.O.S. inflatable life jacket. He has worked on the some of the most significant improvements and enhancements to PFD inflatable technology. He has led the industry in a search for automatic inflation systems which was ultimately approved for use the U.S. Coast Guard after 10 years of persistence and hard work. Mr. Swanby is dedicated to the mission of safe boating. He is a member of the National Safe Boating Council, the National Boating Safety Advisory Council, past president of the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association and is actively involved as an exhibitor, presenter and sponsor of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators conference and the International Boating and Water Safety Summit. Mr. Swanby has made boating safety his life’s work and his great contributions to the development of more comfortable and wearable PFDs have made a lasting impact on the field of boating safety. The National Safe Boating Council Boating Safety Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have shown exemplary leadership and performed outstanding lasting service on behalf of the boating safety community. Those inducted into this prestigious Hall of Fame have contributed significantly to the advancement of safe boating across the continent. All are known are true champions of boating safety

Charlie Walbridge Charlie Walbridge was inducted into the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Boating Safety Hall of Fame at the Whitewater Park Conference on April 19, 2007. Charlie has been active and involved in paddlesport safety for nearly 40 years. He has dedicated his life to improving paddling safety, volunteering tens of thousands of hours to the sport. His contributions in safety and access have kept rivers open and increased the enjoyment of paddlesports. His work, while focused predominantly within the US, is imitated and known worldwide. Some of Mr. Walbridge’s accomplishments include equipment design and development, boating accident analysis, and extensive leadership at the national and regional levels with organizations like the American Canoe Association and American Whitewater. His equipment design and development accomplishments include the improvements on the throw line rescue bag (1974), now a standard piece of safety equipment carried by boaters around the world. He designed the HiFloat Personal Flotation Device (1975), the Swiftwater Rescue Harness (1992) and the Swiftwater Tow Tether (1995). Each of these items is in commercial production and widely duplicated and each were developed to address a specific problem that Charlie analyzed in his study of river boating accidents. His outstanding contributions and enthusiasm for recreational paddling have contributed greatly to the overall field of boating safety. His devotion towards improving the recreational paddling experience made him an excellent inductee for the NSBC Boating Safety Hall of Fame. Charlie lives with his wife Sandy in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. The National Safe Boating Council Boating Safety Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have shown exemplary leadership and performed outstanding lasting service on behalf of the boating safety community. Those inducted into this prestigious Hall of Fame have contributed significantly to the advancement of safe boating across the continent. All are known are true champions of boating safety.

2006 Recipients

Lt. Col. Charles Clark Lt. Col. Clark has enjoyed a 29 year career with the Enforcement Division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Lt. Col. Clark has been given the honor of being appointed by President Bush to serve in certain homeland security and boating capacities. Lt. Col. Clark has spent many years advocating boating safety on the state and national levels by pushing for the passage of better laws concerning funding and boating safety. An example was the passage of a mandatory boating education law. His influence in passing boating safety laws and persistence in acquiring funding to benefit boating safety has been of great influence to boating safety in the state of Louisiana, as well as on the national level. Lt. Col. Clark has enjoyed memberships with several organizations, including the NASBLA, the NSBC, and the National Boating Safety Advisory Council. Lt. Col. Clark has also received honors and recognition by organizations such as NASBLA, USCG, and the NSBC. Pamela S. Dillon For nearly 30 years, Pamela Dillon has been a tremendous advocate for boating safety on the local, state, and national levels. Ms. Dillon is currently serving as executive director for the American Canoe Association, and has the honor of being the first woman to chair the National Safe Boating Council. On the local and state levels, Ms. Dillon helped to develop the river rescue program for the state of Ohio, and has created key educational programs regarding boating safety. Ms. Dillon also created Ohio’s boating education grant program. On the national level, Ms. Dillon serves as the executive director of the ACA and is working to expand partnerships with the United States Power Squadrons, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Boy Scouts of America. Ms. Dillon currently serves on the boards of the National Safe Boating Council, the Professional Paddlesports Association, the Future Fisherman Foundation and the Outdoor Alliance. In 2004, she received a federal appointment to the National Boating Safety Advisory Council. Pamela Dillon has received numerous recognitions and honors from several organizations, including the NSBC, the U.S. Coast Guard, the ACA, the National Water Safety Congress, the state of Ohio, the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

2005 Recipients

William Garner William Garner served as the boating law administrator for the state of Alabama for over 30 years. Mr. Garner has made significant contributions to Recreational Boating Safety through his successful campaigning to institute an engine cut off switch law in Alabama, legislation to require boat operator’s license and increased penalties for boating under the influence. These endeavors have resulted in a significant reduction in boating fatalities in Alabama. Mr. Garner has been actively involved in such organizations as the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the Boating Safety Advisory Council and the Marine Engineering Council, all which promote safety in recreational boating. John Michael Malatak John Malatak has been involved in boating safety for over 35 years. Mr. Malatak has been a key figure in boating safety programs in more than ten national organizations. His positions in these various boating organizations have allowed him to contribute significantly to safe boating on both a professional and personal level. As Chief of the Programs Operations Division for the United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Mr. Malatak serves to coordinate all aspects of the United States Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Safety Program including funding implementation and outreach and awareness programs. Mr. Malatak has taught and continues to teach numerous boating safety courses, ranging from general boating and water safety as volunteer for the Red Cross to more advanced safety topics such as Coastal Navigation and Search and Rescue as a Boating Safety Master Instructor.

2004 Recipients

James Ellis Jim Ellis is the president of the Boat Owners Association of the United States (Boat U.S.) and current chairman of American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). Mr. Ellis is a member of the board of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and a past chair of the National Safe Boating Council. Through his vision and participation we have seen the development of the Boat US Foundation, boating safety internet courses, and the advancement of the inflatable life jacket. Mr. Ellis is a life-long avid power boater, sail boater and fisherman. Richard H. Snyder Richard Snyder retired after a forty-two and a half year career as a design engineer with Mercury Marine. Mr. Snyder continues as a consultant for Mercury Marine. During his career Mr. Snyder was involved in product safety and accident prevention. His inventions have reflected very positively toward the advancement of safer boating. Mr. Snyder has been an active participant in the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), USCG Boating Safety Advisory Council and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC). Mr. Snyder is a boating enthusiast.

2003 Recipients

Albert J. Marmo Retired from the USCG Office of Boating Safety as Chief of the Program Management Division and Executive Director of the USCG National Boating Safety Advisory Council. Mr. Marmo has been responsible for many improvements in the RBS program over his 35 years of service. He has assisted the States and boating safety organizations in advancing safer boating. George W. Stewart Jr. Served as the Boating Law Administrator for the State of Delaware from 1973 to 1987. A leader in boating safety among the State administrators was President of the North East Boating Law Administrators (two terms) and President of the National Association. After his State Retirement went on to be NASBLA’s first Executive Director.

2002 Recipients

Ray Scott Founded Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) Served on the US Coast Guard Boating Safety Advisory Council by appointment from 1976 through 1978. His leadership in implementing safe boating practices into tournament fishing has not only saved lives, but also made a nationwide impact and created a high standard for others to follow. William Selden Served for the U.S. Power Squadrons for more than 42 years working his way to the National Level and serving various areas including Vice Commander as the National Administrative Officer of the National Bridge, National Chief Commander, and on the National Safe Boating Advisory Council, where he received the US Coast Guard Meritorious Service Award. Received two U.S. Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Awards and served a two-year term as Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council, which will come to completion in September of 2002.

2001 Recipients

Lysle Gray Served in the US Navy from 1945-46 and 1951-55. Served in the US Coast Guard from 1973 to 1987 as Chief, Product Safety Assurance Branch. He has served as Executive Director of the American Boat and Yacht Council since 1987 maintaining boating safety standards. Al Simon Served from 1972 to 1995 on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council and its various subcommittees. He also served as President of the National Boating Federation, Commander of the Potomac River Power Squadron and Director of the American Boat and Yacht Council. Was an ardent activist for the development of safe and effective inflatable personal flotation devices.

2000 Recipients

Hunt Anderson Former Chief of Boating Education with the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, helped steer the way to a series of excellent safe boating week campaigns in the 1980’s and early 90’s. Mario Biaggi Former U.S. Representative and Chair of the Coast Guard and Navigation Subcommittee. He kept recreational boating safety issues as a top priority. The "Biaggi Bill", the recreational Boating Safety and Facilities Improvement Act, established an alternate method of providing a base of federal assistance for state boating safety programs. John Breaux A U.S. Legislator, who served in both the House and Senate. Co-sponsored the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 which created the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund. Malcolm Wallop This former U.S. Senator was a leader of senate efforts to expand the Sportfish Restoration Act. This act was enacted in 1984 as the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund.

1999 Recipients

Ron Stone Worked with the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Instrumental in the early development days of the NSBC and in establishing national awareness of boating safety. Carl C. Mahnken Served as a key member in the NASBLA Boating Education Standards Advisory Board and in the U.S. Power Squadron.

1998 Recipients

John C. Bernhartsen Served in U.S. Coast Guard Boating Education & Information Branch. Established minimum level of knowledge for boaters and assembled a work group that eventually blossomed into the NSBC. Credited with the idea for a Presidential Proclamation for Boating Safety Week as well as for the materials to support the annual national campaign. Aime Bernard Served as National Commodore of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, winning the highest awards for operational accomplishments. Served as the Auxiliary’s liaison to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and as the Chair of the NSBC in 1992.

1997 Recipients

Dale P. Morey Involved in boating safety and the NSBC since its formation in 1975. He served as Boating Law Administrator of Wisconsin from 1973 to 1990. In 1982 he became the president of NASBLA. Served as chair of the NSBC from 1986-1988. William C. "Jack" Lucey Worked with the American Red Cross for 45 years, retiring from his position as Executive Director in 1974. Specialized in water safety, small craft and first aid, traveling the country in order to train upcoming instructors. Active in the NSBC, NASBLA and The U.S. Power Squadrons, where he served as Chief Commander.

1996 Recipients

Al Bernardi Participated on the committees of the National Fire Protection Association, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the American Society for Testing and Materials. Secured critical support for NSBC during its early years through his association with Underwriters Laboratories. Newell "Boats" Garden Founded the New England Safe Boating Council. Spearheaded boating safety prevention with Raytheon Company. Leadership in the NSBC; serving as Chair from 1983-1984. Served on the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee from 1979-1991 with nine years as chair.

1995 Recipients

Richard Schwartz Founding member of the NSBC, founder of Boat U.S. Helped to enact important legislation to represent the recreational boating community. Robert Burnside Served the American Red Cross as the National Director of Health and Safety, authoring the Red Cross’s Basic Boating and Sailing and Canoeing texts. Served on the original NSBC Board of Directors; served as Chair from 1973-1975.