As I'm just getting around to starting with blogging, I realize that I'm late to the blogging party! Being of a generation that wasn't introduced to computers until midlife, the word "Blog" meant...well...nothing!
Back to the subject at hand, the Future of Boating Safety! I chose this particular subject because I'm concerned that my chosen profession is at risk...risk of being eliminated. It's not just a funding issue either! I think the risk is that today's society may be more interested in doing other things than boating....
I recently put my personal boat up for sale; a prospective buyer brought his wife and younger (toddler) daughter to look at it. We talked about the family's reasons for wanting to purchase a boat and it was primarily to engage their oldest teenage son in an outdoor activity that got him away from video games.
When Americans have disposable income, they seem to look for those value-added experiences that are affordable. Like boating for example! When our economy is in the 'head' (boating terminology here!), boat sales and boats stagnate as being one of the first activities to take a hit. It's easy to see why our professions are directly linked to the economy.
Other factors also influence our sport; security issues after 9/11 have restricted waters that were previously open to recreational boaters. Personal Water Craft have been banned from many National Parks and other areas that are still open to other watercraft. EPA regulations, Ethanol concerns, the list goes on!
The pure joy of being on the water overshadows all the obstacles boaters face; there's nothing like a peaceful paddle on a Minnesota lake with the sun setting and loons calling. Or a sunny afternoon floating down the Colorado River with friends or a week-long trip on the Intercoastal Waterway to convince a boater that boating is one of the best outdoor activites available in America!
My personal perspective for the Future of Boating Safety is that of a higher concern as I approach retirement age...(ok, I'm right there already!) and how have my contributions benefitted boaters? How have yours? Is the future of boating safety secure? Boat Safer! Mike