BoatUS Represents Recreational Boating at Congressional Roundtable

On Tuesday, July 21, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., David Kennedy, Government Affairs Manager for Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), participated in a congressional roundtable titled “Intersecting Courses: Maritime Safety Regulation and Technology.”

The roundtable brought together members of Congress and stakeholders from across the maritime sector—including representatives from U.S.-flag passenger vessels, fishing, autonomous vessels, charter vessels, barge industries, offshore supply vessels, and the recreational boating community to discuss marine safety and the impact of evolving technologies, construction methods, and user dynamics on the nation’s maritime industries.

The roundtable encouraged an open exchange of ideas, beginning with participant introductions followed by a discussion of key maritime safety and technology issues. During the session, Kennedy highlighted several priorities for recreational boaters including:

• Preserving AIS as a Safety Tool: BoatUS maintains that AIS should remain a voluntary safety tool used for situational awareness, collision avoidance, and search and rescue.
• Maintaining Physical Aids to Navigation: BoatUS supports continued investment in buoys, lights, daymarks, and the Coast Guard vessels that maintain them.
• Supporting the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety: Kennedy recognized the office’s role in supporting state boating safety programs, education, law enforcement training, and accident prevention.

For more information on BoatUS government affairs and advocacy initiatives on behalf of recreational boaters nationwide, please visit: https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/news-and-issues/government-affairs