NASBLA Roundtable

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Paddlesports life jacket messaging

  • 1.  Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-08-2021 11:35 AM
    A local City Park lake gets a lot of paddlesports traffic with very little life jacket compliance. The health department and city parks and rec are thinking of putting up a couple of basic signs promoting lifejacket use specifically for paddle sports. Has anybody done something similar and have any designs and or wording they want to share?


    Something along the lines of: "Attention paddlecraft users, as a vessel you are required to carry life jackets and anybody under 13 must wear there's per state law."

    Obviously that's a pretty dry message, anybody do something similar that can jazz it up a little bit?

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    Scott Eveland
    Nebraska Game & Parks Comm
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  • 2.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-09-2021 08:51 AM
    Paddlers:  When you don't wear a Life Jacket you are risking your life
    Under 13:  State law requires you to have a Life Jacket on

    It's not about just falling off the vessel.  What if someone has a heart attack, stroke, seizure, or passes out from heat stroke, sun stroke, or a million other medical issues.  


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    Glenn Dean
    Connecticut Boating Certificates LLC
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  • 3.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-09-2021 09:27 AM
      |   view attached
    The USCGA developed this sign which you can download for free
    Sigrid

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    Sigrid Pilgrim
    Illinois Paddling Council
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  • 4.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-09-2021 09:55 AM


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    Thank you,
    Jim Hawkins
    Boating Safety Education Coordinator / Investigator
    Colorado Parks and Wildlife
    Jim.Hawkins@state.co.us
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  • 5.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-09-2021 11:09 AM
      |   view attached
    I do not know what the launch site looks like - but here is another idea from the Waukegan Harbor in northern Illinois
    hard to overlook this message - Sigrid

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    Sigrid Pilgrim
    Illinois Paddling Council
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  • 6.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-09-2021 11:02 AM
    Good morning Scott

    I am including a few designs we created in Arizona. We started putting them out this past summer.

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    Danny Rodriguez
    Boating Law Administer
    Arizona Game and Fish Department
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  • 7.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-09-2021 12:02 PM
      |   view attached
    Hi Scott -

    Oregon created the attached sign for our paddlers. Hope this helps you.


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    MariAnn McKenzie
    Boating Safety Education Coord.
    Oregon State Marine Board
    503-798-2735
    mariann.mckenzie@oregon.gov
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  • 8.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-09-2021 07:17 PM
      |   view attached
    Hey, here in my area of Florida, we encountered the same issue. I worked with one of the beach PDs to get signage and posted them at a local park and on their Facebook page.  I will try to attach the brochure to this post.

    Thanks,
    Dustin

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    Dustin Lightsey
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  • 9.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 07-16-2021 03:27 PM
    Just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who responded to this.  Got a couple of great signage ideas right down the alley I was looking for (looking at you AZ and CO) as well as some other great ideas to expound upon for some more partnerships in the future!

    I really appreciate all the help!

    Scott

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    Scott Eveland
    Nebraska Game & Parks Comm
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  • 10.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-02-2021 11:23 AM
    Scott:

    I have been on vacation and am late to the party.  I wanted to mention this to you and the rest of the group.  The Coast Guard is slowly bringing a paddle sports safety program to life.  We are certifying our volunteer Auxiliary members to engage in on-water education and outreach.  That's another option to consider as we build out the program.  If you are aware of any hot spots, we may have the resources to provide a courtesy patrol there.  During the course of these activities we also give out the "If Found Contact" stickers and other safety materials.  

    Paul

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    Paul Barnard
    8th District RBS Specialist
    US Coast Guard
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  • 11.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-03-2021 08:00 AM
    I wonder when we'll start requiring mandatory education for paddlers?

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    Chris Edmonston
    President
    BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water
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  • 12.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-04-2021 10:41 AM

    Chris,

    As a State with no mandatory education, Arizona actually has more students completing a NASBLA approved paddlesports course than the powerboat courses.  We are now offering three classes a month all across the State and cannot begin to keep up with demand.   Although putting on a paddlesports course is more labor/staff intensive, we find our instructors are more engaged and having fun in teaching. 

    If we go down the road to mandatory education for paddlers, we will need to find a stable revenue source for the NASBLA membership.  In Arizona, we can only use USCG funds for our paddlesports activities, no funds from our watercraft revenue stream, and this funding source is very limited.  The Paddlesports Committee would love to have you or one of your staff members join our merry band of paddlers to continue this discussion along with other paddlesports issues. 

    Happy Paddling,
    Kim



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    Kim Jackson
    Boating & OHV Safety Education Program Manager
    AZ Game & Fish Dept
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  • 13.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-05-2021 02:00 PM
    Kim,
     
    Your state has an AMAZING paddling program, and certainly one to be emulated. For many years, I think the broad boating community has struggled with funding for paddling education. Perhaps registration for paddlecraft could be a part of that funding solution.

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    Chris Edmonston
    President
    BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water
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  • 14.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-06-2021 08:29 AM
    Paddlers are not against life jackets, nor are they against training.  As an ACA instructor I run plenty of courses as do my friends.

    What we are against is registration as a revenue stream. 

    Brian Blankinship
    ACA Instructor





  • 15.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-06-2021 08:49 AM

    Brian:

     

    I am a paddler.  Knowing what I know about the Sportfish Restoration Act funds, I'd like to somehow contribute.  Let me explain why.

     

    When I launch my kayak, I am probably going to do so at an SRA funded launch site.  If I experience an on water emergency, I will probably get help from someone using SRA funded equipment or an officer trained, in part, with SRA funds.  I often see paddlers engaged in unsafe practices, such as paddling with no PFD on board and operating at night with no lights.  Our enforcement teams need to attend these matters. 

     

    Paddlers and paddle craft are consuming an ever increasing amount of our SAR resources.  Paddlers are consuming an ever increasing amount of our law enforcement effort.  Paddlers are consuming an ever increasing footprint at our SRA funded launches.  There is a rapidly growing need for paddle sports education like the kind of education the ACA provides.  The ACA is a beneficiary of the SRA fund.  I have found that when paddlers understand the big picture, they are more than happy to contribute.  When they look at it as a program that they pay into and get back out of, rather than a revenue stream, it doesn't seem so onerous.

     

    Paul Barnard

    Recreational Boating Safety Program Manager

    U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District

    500 Poydras St. Rm 1331

    New Orleans, LA 70130

    504-671-2148

     

    Visit The Coast Guard Boating Safety Website  https://www.uscgboating.org/

     






  • 16.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-06-2021 09:07 AM
    I agree to all except that registration would somehow help

    When someone goes to Walmart and buys a $200 rec boat with no info given on the basics of paddle sport safety s/he is not going to register the boat and likely take it out within a few days of purchase

    Plus
    With two failed registration systems here in Illinois we would strongly oppose any third effort to do so

    Let's work with the big box stores
    Let's develop and air and print PSA's on safe boating
    Let's promote the ACA online education programs, maybe find a way to incentivize taking it
    If raising money to help pay for SAR efforts let's add a tax to paddling equipment at the wholesale level similar to other outdoor sport gear

    Sigrid pilgrim
    Evanston IL

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 17.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-06-2021 12:32 PM
    I love paddling, and I own several human powered craft--mostly to fish. I see more and more around Annapolis where I boat, and there's definitely been an uptick in accidents/fatalities in Maryland. 

    There's been an ongoing debate about education/registration for all the (nearly 3 decades..oh my, I need to retire) years I've been in this sphere ...

    Here are some of the frustrations I have heard from the broader boating community:

    The paddling community doesn't support mandatory education for paddling. An example given to me is that New York and Florida both had legislative proposals as recently as this year that would have required mandatory education for paddlers. The paddling community had it removed from both bills. 

    The paddling community is generally against registration fees. (see other posts in this thread)

    State and federal agencies are allocating more and more resources to search and rescue as well as education, with no additional funding sources.  (Where Arizona gets funding)

    Without any boat registration it's difficult to trace ownership of boats found adrift, which strains SAR resources. 


    Some things I think woud help...

    The paddling manufacturers don't have an association that I know of. Having would would help facilitate distribution of education information and help the community work with retailers. 

    Adding paddling products into the tax base for the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund would help increase funding that is available to pay for resources going towards paddling. 

    I do think some form of registration would help with funding and also with locating owners of vessels found adrift. 

    Having manufacturers, or some entitiy create an ID plate for a paddle craft would help. I know that the Auxiliary put some out a few years ago, but haven't seen anything more recent. 

    And we do need to consider education options as well. 





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    Chris Edmonston
    President
    BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water
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  • 18.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-06-2021 12:49 PM

    Chris,

     

    Thank you for the well thought out note.

     

    Given our experience here in Illinois with two boat registrations programs – how do you envision we should do a new one?

    A sticker for each boat? At what cost? One year or multiple year's validity? Discount for multiple boat owners?

    What does the owner need to do if s/he sells the boat respectively, what does the new owner have to do?

    What is the cost to the state agency to administer this program: print, mail, internal administrative costs, etc

     

    Instead of registering boats – register boat owners? A "paddling license?" that came up here too and was soundly defeated.

     

    Maybe one way to reduce the SAR costs.....charge the paddlers for rescue or safety assistance.

     

    If anyone has any suggestions, please do let me know. Thank you

     

    Sigrid

     

     

     

     






  • 19.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 08-06-2021 12:57 PM

    Sigrid, Ohio and Iowa are two states that I know of that require paddle craft registration of some sort.  I don't know if anyone from those states is among us.  They'd be able to answer the questions.  Since paddle craft registration would be an extension of current registration programs, some of the administrative costs are already covered. 

     

    Why did the registration programs fail in Illinois? 

     

    Paul Barnard

    Recreational Boating Safety Program Manager

    U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District

    500 Poydras St. Rm 1331

    New Orleans, LA 70130

    504-671-2148

     

    Visit The Coast Guard Boating Safety Website  https://www.uscgboating.org/

     






  • 20.  RE: Paddlesports life jacket messaging

    Posted 12-04-2021 01:32 PM
      |   view attached
    Hey Scott,

    Here in my area we have 2 different locations that get an insane amount of paddlesport activity.  With the assistance of our state department of parks and recreation we have been able to set up "life jacket loaner stations".  Not only do these stations bring awareness to pfd laws in our state, but for those who have traveled to the waterway without a pfd, it provides them with an opportunity to borrow one for the day so that they aren't turned away for their day of recreation. This in turn has driven down the number of citations that we issue to those who simply go out on the water without a pfd.  

    Check out the news story that we did as part of our outreach program
    https://www.kmvt.com/2021/07/18/officials-hold-event-water-safety-twin-falls/

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    Kenneth Mencl
    Sergeant
    Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office
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