NASBLA Joins Global Leaders at Japanese Boating and Water Safety Summit
Boating safety is a global mission, and collaboration remains essential to keeping waterways safe and enjoyable around the world. This shared focus brought together representatives from the United States delegation of the
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) on March 22 at the 10th
Japanese Boating and Water Safety Summit in Yokohama, Japan.
Yokohama—whose name means “horizontal beach”—proved an ideal setting for the summit. This cosmopolitan port city, located along Tokyo Bay and flanked by the Ooka and Nakamura Rivers, is a hub for maritime professionals and boating enthusiasts alike.
NASBLA Chair Joe McCullough, NSBC Executive Director Peg Phillips, and NSBC Chair Alan Dennison were warmly welcomed by the Japanese boating and water safety community during the daylong event, which took place in conjunction with the Japan Boat Show. The summit was made possible in large part due to the efforts of the Marine Sports Foundation (MARIS). Despite some expected language differences, the U.S. delegation encountered minimal barriers and actively participated in the day’s discussions.
On March 24, the U.S. delegation also met with representatives from the Japan Coast Guard. Together, they exchanged program ideas, compared data, and discussed boating safety trends and statistics. The meeting, coordinated by U.S. Coast Guard Commander Jeffrey P. Owens and Captain James B. Suffern, further strengthened the growing partnership between the two nations' maritime communities.
As in the United States, boating safety in Japan centers on adhering to navigation rules, securing proper licensing, and understanding local conditions such as tides and weather patterns. These shared principles—and a mutual commitment to increasing life jacket wear—continue to foster a spirit of global cooperation, advancing education and safety for all who enjoy time on the water.