The Coast Guard announced today that its 2011 National Recreational Boating Survey is under way.
The survey questionnaire is being sent by mail to select owners of U.S.-registered recreational boats. The market research firm ICF Macro is also calling members of the general public from call centers across the United States and asking them to participate in the survey over the telephone.
The Coast Guard encourages those contacted to provide the information. The survey is a key element in the Coast Guard's strategic plan to reduce fatalities, injuries, and property damage from recreational boating accidents. Survey questions are designed to gather information on the extent of public participation in recreational boating and to identify trends, risks, and causal factors related to boating accidents; for example, inclement weather, boat defects, on-the-water hazards, and high-risk boater behaviors.
All information collected will be used by the Coast Guard solely for the development of statistical summaries. The more accurate and complete the summaries, the better job that federal, state and territorial agencies can do to make boating a safe recreational activity.
The 2011 National Recreational Boating Survey will continue by mail and telephone until sufficient data is gathered for the Coast Guard's statistical reports. Those who would like information on the survey are asked to contact Philippe Gwet at (202) 372-1102 or by e-mail atphilippe.gwet@uscg.mil.
