2002 National Recreational Boating Survey

1. 2002 National Recreational Boating Survey Review of Findings www.strategicresearchgroup.com

2. This project was conducted on behalf of the United States Coast Guard, Office of Homeland Security • The purpose of this survey was to learn more about individuals who enjoy boating for recreation, the boats they use, the activities they enjoy, and their knowledge, attitudes, and experiences. • More than 25,000 individuals across the nation participated in this research, each answering over 160 questions. • For the full report, please visit the SRG website at www.strategicresearchgroup.com or the United States Coast Guard website.

3. Methodology

4. Methodology • Two Data Collection Methods: • Registered Boaters: Mail-out survey of individuals who owned a registered boat and operated it between September 2001 and September 2002. • 250 per state or territory • Nonregistered Boaters: Telephone interview of individuals how had operated a boat between September 2001 and September 2002 but did not own a registered boat. • 250 per state or territory

5. Methodology • Two-Stage Weighting Scheme: • During telephone interviewing, information regarding boat ownership and boat operation between September 2001 and 2002 was obtained for all sampled households. • Using this information, data were weighted to reflect the proportion of nonusers, registered boaters and nonregistered boaters within each state. • For national estimates, state-weighted data were weighted to reflect the proportion of the national population for each state.

6. Methodology • National Results are presented with Regional breakdowns when appropriate. • Regions • West Coast • Mountain States • Great Lakes • Northeast • Southeast • Midwest

7. Methodology • For national and regional findings the data were weighted to reflect the state proportion of the total U.S. • This means that each individual’s responses were either increased or decreased so that the final responses reflected the population of the U.S. • Regional analyses were conducted for this presentation. Most regional differences were negligible, but some key regional differences were identified

8. Who operates boats? What types of boats are they using? All boats Boat operated most often (BOMO) How often do they boat? In what activities are they most likely to engage? How safe are boat operators? Where do boat operators stand on current issues? Presentation Overview

9. Who Operates Boats?

10. Gender of Primary Operator

11. Primary Operator Swimming Capabilities

12. Educational Level of Primary Operator

13. Race of Primary Operator

14. Age of Boat Operator

15. Average Number of People Who Boated with Primary Operator

16. Age of Passengers on BOMO

17. What Types of Boats are They Using?

18. All Boats Operated Between September 2001-2002

19. Type of Boat Used by Region

20. Type of Boat Used by Region, cont’d

21. Boat Operated Most Often (BOMO)

22. BOMO by Region

23. BOMO by Region, cont’d

24. Length of BOMO

25. Average Length of BOMO

26. BOMO Propulsion

27. BOMO Means of Propulsion by Region

28. How Often do They Boat?

29. Average Number of Days Boated by Primary Operator

30. Population Estimates of the Number of Times Top 5 Types of Boats Were Used Boats were used over 60 million times between September 2001 and 2002. This estimate was obtained by asking BO if they used a boat and then projecting to population.

31. Population Estimates of Number of Hours Boated Together, both primary and secondary operators spent over 6 billion hours on the water between September 2001 and 2002. This estimate was obtained by multiplying the number of days boated by the average number of hours boated per day.

32. Lifetime Number of Hours Operating a Boat • How many total hours of boat operating experience have you had in your lifetime? • 38.5% of BOs have over 500 hours of experience. • 23% of BOs have between 100 and 500 hours of experience. • 2.3% of BOs have less than 1 hour of experience

33. In What Activities do Boaters Engage?

34. Type of Water where BOMO

35. Activities on BOMO

36. Most Frequent Activities by Means of Propulsion • Propeller • 67.8% fish for recreation • 61.4% cruise using engine • 32.7% swim or dive off boat • 31.8% water-ski or tube

37. Most Frequent Activities by Means of Propulsion • Water jet • 81.5% cruise using engine • 44.5% water-ski or tube • 29.7% swim or dive off boat • 16% race

38. Most Frequent Activities by Means of Propulsion • Sail • 94.4% sail • 23.9% swim or dive off boat • 21.8% cruise using engine • 15.2% race

39. Most Frequent Activities by Means of Propulsion • Air Thrust • 78.4% cruise using engine • 35.5% water-ski or tube • 29.8% recreational fish • 24.1% swim or dive off boat

40. Most Frequent Activities by Means of Propulsion • Manual/Oars/Paddle • 85.7% paddle • 38.6% fish for recreation • 23.2% swim or dive off boat • 7.9% whitewater sports

41. How Safe are Boat Operators?

42. Personally Been Involved in an Incident?

43. Boating Safety Course Experience • When was the last time you took a boating safety course? • 65.2% of boat operators have NEVER taken a boating safety course. • 15.1% have taken a boating safety course within the past 5 years. • 15.2% took a boating safety course over 10 years ago

44. Percent of Operators Who Have NEVER Taken a Boating Safety Course by Boat

45. Type of Boating Course Taken

46. Predictors of Participation in a Boating Safety Course • Younger boaters are less likely to have completed a safety course. • Registered boaters are more likely to have completed a safety course. • Operators with higher levels of boating issue awareness (saw, read, or heard information on boat safety) were more likely to have completed a safety course.

47. Where do Boat Operators Stand on Current Issues?

48. Issues Examined • Knowledge and Licensure • People who operate boats should be required to have licenses, which could be revoked if they commit a violation • People who operate boats should be required to pass a test to demonstrate their knowledge of boating laws and Navigation Rules • PFD Use • All children under the age of 13 years should be required to wear a life jacket/PFD while on a boat • Persons of all ages should be required to wear a life jacket or PFD while on a boat

49. Issues Examined , cont’d • Law Enforcement • Boating under the influence laws should be strongly enforced • There should be more enforcement to control reckless boaters • The amount and or type of boating traffic should be restricted in certain areas, even if it meant you might be restricted from traveling in certain areas

50. Issues with Strongest Agreement