WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety released the Strategic Plan of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program 2017 to 2021 Wednesday.
This plan is the third in a series of five-year strategic plans and continues or updates boating safety initiatives and progress measurements that have proven successful over time, while closing gaps identified in the most recent review of strategic opportunities.
“This strategic plan is an important piece of the Coast Guard’s boating safety program,” said Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, assistant commandant for prevention policy. “Over the next five years, the Coast Guard will work closely with representatives of national recreational boating safety organizations to implement the various elements of the plan.”
The plan includes three primary initiatives: improve and expand recreational boating education, training and outreach; update, leverage and enforce policies, regulations and standards; and improve and expand recreational boating data collection and research.
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to boat responsibly while on the water: wear a life jacket, take a boating safety course, attach your engine cut-off switch, get a free vessel safety check and avoid alcohol or other impairing substance consumption.
For further information on the current and past strategic plans, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/content/strategic-plan.php.
For more information on the Coast Guard's boating safety program, go to http://www.uscgboating.org.