DNREC News

September 22, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 307

For more information, contact Capt. Bayard Holleger at 302-739-3440.

Delaware Boating Safety Program Receives National Transportation Safety Board Award

Delaware was recently recognized nationally for its outstanding leadership in the field of boating safety at the 41st annual conference of National Boating Law Administrators held at Mackinac Island, Mich.

Mr. John Hammerschmidt, senior member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) presented the award on behalf of Jim Hall, chairman of the NTSB, to DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Chief of Enforcement James H. Graybeal. Upon presenting the award, Hammerschmidt referred to Delaware as "the little powerhouse state of the East Coast . . . and first in boating safety."

Other award recipients included Arkansas, New Jersey, Kansas, Oregon, and Texas. All award winners’ boating safety programs meet the following criteria:

The implementation of a mandatory education program that will eventually cover all recreational boaters.
The mandatory use of personal flotation devices for children ages 12 and under.
Strengthened alcohol and boating laws including a defined blood alcohol concentration specific to recreational boating and implied consent.
The inclusion of personal watercraft information in all State boating courses.

Several other states have boating programs that meet one or more of the criteria set by the NTSB, but only six states that received the award met all four criteria. Delaware is fortunate to have the support of its Governor and legislators in creating a model boating safety program.

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Document no. 40-01/00/09/36

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