January 30, 2020

The National Safe Boating Council is dedicated to providing fun and safe recreational boating experiences. Thank you for your support in this shared mission! Read through Anchorline for a chance to win a case of youth activity books by correctly answering the challenge questions at the end (keep scrolling).

We've moved! Our new address is 8140 Flannery Court, Manassas, VA 20109 and our phone number remains the same, 703-361-4294.

#IBWSS20: Partnerships for Progress

You won't want to miss the 2020 International Boating and Water Safety Summit in Arizona from April 5-8! #IBWSS20 will explore Partnerships for Progress with engaging general and breakout sessions taking a close look at how working together, we can create a safer recreational boating and water experience. Maintaining or pursuing your CRBP? IBWSS offers the opportunity to earn 14.25 continuing education units!

Speakers include Chris Snyder, director of coaching education with United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee; Jennifer Moore, former CNN assignment editor and producer; Bill Schuffenhauer, 3x Olympian and Olympic silver medalist; Scott Swanby, developer of the first S.O.S. inflatable life jacket; Dr. Diana Bowman, Andrew Carnegie Fellow (2018); Glenn Anderson, retired managing consultant with IBM Systems Lab Services and Training; boating and water safety advocates; first responders; and more!

Browse the interactive schedule to plan your experience at #IBWSS20. Register by February 29 to be entered into a raffle to win a prize.

The IBWSS Communication Awards recognizes the creative ways boating and water safety advocates are communicating with the public about safety on and in the water. Winners will be announced at the awards luncheon on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa. Apply today for the #IBWSS20 awards! Deadline to enter is March 1, 2020.

CRBP Approved Course Provider

The National Safe Boating Council is a Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Approved Course Provider, supporting the voluntary credential for recreational boating professionals developed by NASBLA. The credential is broad-based and addresses boating professionals’ knowledge, performance and career achievements in the identified program domains. Learn more.

A CRBP Approved Course Provider is an organization that has formally registered with the CRBP program and committed to providing education that meets the CRBP's standards for helping individuals earn or maintain the Certified Recreational Boating Professional credential. When selecting a CRBP-eligible course from a CRBP Approved Course Provider, CRBPs and CRBP candidates can be confident that the course will be recognized for CRBP credit to earn or maintain the CRBP credential.

Pursuing your CRBP? The International Boating and Water Safety Summit offers the opportunity to earn 14.25 continuing education units. Register at IBWSS.org.

2020-2024 Strategic Plan

This year marks the beginning of the National Safe Boating Council's 2020-2024 strategic plan. Thank you to the NSBC board, membership, and greater recreational boating safety community for your support in the development and implementation of our shared vision to help create a safe boating experience for recreational boaters.

The strategic plan supports the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Recreational Boating Safety Program in their mission to ensure the public has a safe, secure, and enjoyable recreational boating experience. It continues or updates objectives, strategies and progress measurements that have been proven successful over time, while closing gaps identified in the most recent review of the strategic plan.

Read the strategic plan or view the one page guide for an overview of the initiatives and objectives we will be focusing on for the next five years as you will be a big part of our success. We look forward to partnering alongside you to develop a safe boating culture.

NSBC Chair Remarks from Stu Gilfillen

As I begin my term as Chair, I’m filled with great optimism about where the NSBC is, and the opportunities we have before us. We have a phenomenal staff that is running on all cylinders, we’re in a great financial position, and we’ve added outstanding talent to our Board of Directors. I’m pleased to add Robert Newsome from the National Marine Manufacturers Association and MariAnn McKenzie from the Oregon State Board, who will step into the roles of Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.

I’d like to also express my appreciation to Richard Moore for his years of countless dedication to the NSBC. We are in a better place because of his wisdom and leadership. And while Chris Stec is sliding into the past chair role, we do get to hold on to him for a few more years.

My focus over the next few years is to build on the strong foundation we’ve developed. Many of you have heard me use the analogy that boating safety is a Venn diagram and NSBC sits in the middle of it. We connect with a myriad of stakeholders -- states, manufacturers and National Governing Bodies to name a few -- and while our interests are diverse, we are all aligned in our goal of making boating safer. Our hope is that through communication and collaboration the NSBC can be a national catalyst for developing a safe boating culture.

During the first quarter of 2020 I’ll be reaching out to many of you to get your thoughts on how the NSBC can better meet your needs, or what areas you feel we can be more impactful. While we have made great strides, we all know that there’s more to do. And we’ll need your help to do it.

I look forward to seeing you all at IBWSS!

Stu Gilfillen

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) newly became an Admiral Club member of the National Safe Boating Council, and we couldn’t be happier to have this safety minded state agency join the highest tiered membership level. While we work closely with the boating team at VDGIF, the entire agency is doing a lot of important work in the name of safety for hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation too.

Boating safety education is at the forefront of what they do. Check out the "Class Locator" on their website to easily find a course near you. New for VDGIF boater education is the availability of a Virginia Lifetime Boater Education Card. Check out their requirements for this and the frequently asked questions page for more information about boating in Virginia.

Watch the latest video PSA from VDGIF and Virginia Conservation Police. VDGIF has always been a supporter of the Wear It campaign, and now K9 Officer Bailey is making sure people are wearing their life jackets! Thanks for everything you do VDGIF!

Welcome to the NSBC, Steve Allenbach

The NSBC is excited to announce our new Training Manager, Steve Allenbach. Steve is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran with nearly 24 years of service. With Steve's leadership and training experience, we are eager to partner with others to expand our on-water training program.

Steve has recognized leadership skills and instructor experience, leading teams of 4 to 40 in training and instructional duties with foreign and domestic military and law enforcement partners. He is also well versed in creating curriculum and implementing it. He received several letters of commendation and appreciation for his service in the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a commendation medal.

Steve resides in North Carolina with his wife and two daughters. He is looking forward to developing positive relationships within the NSBC community and with their partners. Welcome aboard, Steve!

Show Us How You #WearItOut

The National Safe Boating Council’s new social change marketing initiative focuses on making wearing a life jacket a routine behavior for boaters and others who spend time on the water. “Wear It Out” is part of the Safe Boating Campaign, an annual worldwide effort focused on responsible boating.

“Wear It Out shows the passion that boaters have for the water, so much so that our advertising depicts boaters wearing their life jacket even when doing day-to-day activities – such as walking a dog, brushing their teeth, or eating out with friends,” said Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the National Safe Boating Council, a national catalyst for recreational boating safety. “It’s a play on the phrase ‘Wear It Out’ so that boaters never forget the right gear and they’re always ready for boating. Sometimes you can’t turn off your inner boater.”

The Safe Boating Campaign encourages boaters to snap a picture to share how they Wear It Out and tag the campaign on Facebook (@SafeBoatCampaign) or Instagram (@BoatingCampaign) with the hashtag #wearit. A few people will be randomly selected to receive a prize! (Note: Entrants, please check your privacy settings to ensure the post may be viewed by the Safe Boating Campaign.)

Did you read all of Anchorline? Try your luck at answering the challenge questions for a chance to win a free case of youth activity books.

Admiral Club Members

© National Safe Boating Council

8140 Flannery Court, Manassas, VA 20109 | Phone 703.361.4294