The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a recommendation report examining Waterways Management and the increase in encounters between commercial and recreational vessels in the nation’s navigable waters. The NTSB visited multiple major ports around the country where they conducted interviews of local waterways users. As a result of this analysis, the NTSB has made the following recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard;
- Establish a process whereby, at regular intervals, all harbor safety committees identify the safety risks posed by the interaction of commercial and recreational vessels in their respective geographic areas; where necessary, develop and implement practices to mitigate those risks; and share successful practices among all harbor safety committees.
- Seek statutory authority that requires all recreational boat operators on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the US to demonstrate completion of an instructional course or an equivalent that meets the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators standards.
- Working with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the National Water Safety Congress to review and update the “A Guide to Multiple Use Waterway Management” at regular intervals.
“Waterways Management is an important tool in recreational boating safety. In many areas recreational and commercial vessels come in close contact and it is not always a safe situation,” said Stephanie Weatherington, President of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
“This issue has become even more prevalent with the growing popularity of non-traditional vessels such as personal watercraft (PWC) and stand up paddleboards. It is important that local, state and federal agencies that are responsible for multiuse waterways are aware of the risks present and the best practices available that can help them mitigate those risks. It is also crucial that support is given to agencies and organizations that work to expand the knowledge, effectiveness and implementation of Waterways Management nationwide. Doing this will help us all in our mission to increase safety on the water and reduce the number of accidents and injuries.”