Engineering, Reporting & Analysis Committee Briefing 2011

ERACEngineering, Reporting & Analysis Committee

2011 Committee ReportMilwaukee, Wisconsin

September 11, 2011

Tammy Terry – ChairJeff Parrish – Vice Chair

Eleanor Mariani – Board LiaisonSusan Tomczuk/Jim Law/Mike Jendrossek –

USCG Representatives

“The odds of hitting your target go up dramatically when you aim at it.”

- Mal Pancoast

KEY ELEMENTS OF COMMITTEE CHARTER 2011

Evaluate, analyze data that can shed light on accident factors and inform development – and ultimately measure effectiveness – of boating safety policies/programs

To ensure research results are valid and reliable, actively seek ways to advance data quality, relevance, accuracy, consistency, applicability, completeness

KEY ELEMENTS OF COMMITTEE CHARTER 2011Practical Application

Conduct analyses on targeted research questions

Recommend and – in partnership – actively work for improvements in criteria, processes, training associated with reporting, collecting, entering, using accident data

Identify boating safety programs and equipment design efforts that could mitigate identified risk factors

Monitor/participate in external task forces and work groups

12 CHARGES IN FOUR KEY AREAS

Regarding proposed federal rulemaking and policy guidance

Guidance and training on accident reporting, data entry, use

Accident data analyses

Resource/advisory/monitoring activities


Target: Monitor, inform, develop feedback on USCG response to 2010 NPRM on SNS/VIS/BARD

Target Team: Full Committee

Bullseyes:⊕ Coast Guard response – in the form of a Final Rule –

expected in near future


Target: Gather, provide input to anticipated USCG rulemaking proposals to revise accident reporting system and processes


Bullseyes:⊕ Recreational Vessel Reporting Notice of Advisory

Committee recommendations; request for additional public comments, published Sept. 6, 2011

⊕ Additional discussion at BLA Workshop on Monday, Sept. 12


Target: Request clarification on accident reporting criteria and procedures, inform states on outcomes. Monitor progress/offer input and support to completion of CG 449


Bullseyes:⊕Ongoing


Target: Incorporate guidance on accident reporting and application of existing and revised categories into accident investigation course work materials and into BARD-Web data entry training

Target Team: Gary Haupt, MO (Charge Leader) Susan Tomczuk, USCG (Charge Leader) Ken Ripley, TN Cody Jones, TX Fred Messmann, NSBC Amy Rigby, CA John Adey, ABYC Eric Lundin, CT Mike Jendrossek, USCG

Mike Baron, USCG


Bullseyes:⊕ Process for developing consensus on standardized terms/definitions list approved by NASBLA Executive Board and USCG, mid-June 2011

Step #1 - Development of consensus list of terms/ definitions by ERAC Charge Group B-1

Step #2 - Deliver consensus list to Executive Board and full ERAC Committee for review/comments/consensus

Step #3 - Deliver consensus list to USCG for internal review/comments/consensus


Bullseyes:⊕ Process for developing consensus on standardized terms/definitions list approved by NASBLA Executive Board and USCG, mid-June 2011

Step #4 – Deliver consensus list to states for review/comments/consensus

Step #5 – Submit final consensus list to Executive Board for formal recognition/acceptance by the states


Bullseyes:⊕Team-recommended Accident Types terms/definitions list currently in review by Board and full ERAC Committee; will be released to USCG, and then the States for comment, post-conference

⊕Team work ongoing for Contributing Factors/Causes, Vessel Types, Activity, Operation lists


Target: Explore development of online forum to expand discussions on recreational boating accident analysis and data issues with other researchers and data users


Bullseyes:⊕Intent to use NASBLA’s online “Connected Community” to share analyses, data tools, and other items resulting from ERAC charge work

Accident Data Analyses

Target: Replicate concept of 2009 ERAC template, which used Tennessee data to visually depict fatality trends by body of water, in at least two more states, and create instruction documentation

Target Team: Ken Ripley (Charge Leader) Eric Lundin (Charge Leader) Eleanor Mariani, CT Jim Law, USCG Cody Jones, TX Amy Rigby, CA Tammy Terry, OH


Bullseyes:⊕Four states participated: TN, CT, TX, OH

⊕State findings proved useful to local resource deployment; correlated local with national trends

⊕Instructional materials and an Excel “tool” were developed; template, findings, uses will be featured in “Making Your Accident Report Data Work for You,” a 10:00 a.m. breakout session Wed., Sept. 14

⊕Additional webinar/online access to “tool” and instructions to be made available through NASBLA’s online “Connected Community,” post-conference


Target: Conduct comprehensive review of BARD and other appropriate statistics to isolate and examine all factors associated with nighttime recreational boating accidents

Target Team: Jeff Parrish (Charge Leader) Amy Rigby, CA Scott Brewen, OR Tom Guess, VA Cody Jones, TX Eleanor Mariani, CT Chris Edmonston, BoatUS Dan Maxim, USCGAux, Dick Snyder, Mercury

Pete Chisholm, Mercury Karen Steely, Aaron Foundation

Tammy Terry, OH


Bullseyes:⊕ Analysis conducted; selected findings indicate that nighttime accidents:

•Are more likely to be fatal

•Differ significantly from daytime accidents in frequency of accident types and accident causes

•Are strongly related to behavioral causes, particularly alcohol use

⊕Analysis results will be highlighted in “Making Your Accident Report Data Work for You,” a 10:00 a.m. breakout session on Wed., Sept. 14


Target: Continue monitoring/examining applications of methodologies that could isolate operator- and vessel-related factors from other potential influences on boating accidents

Target Team: Dan Maxim (Charge Leader) Tom Guess, VA Chris Edmonston, BoatUS Bob Sweet, USPS

Bullseyes:⊕Ongoing

Resource/Advisory/Monitoring Activities

Target: Counsel task force activities associated with United Safe Boating Institute’s (USBI) FY 2011 grant project to evaluate methods of capturing Vessel Safety Check data

Target Team: Bill Griswold, USBI (Charge Leader) Ted Sensenbrenner, BoatUS USBI grant project advisory group


Bullseyes:⊕USBI database has been developed; web-based entry screen for examiners to capture/input data on vessels that fail the VSC

⊕Powerpoint for training purposes has been developed

⊕Additional grant application to be submitted to pilot the program in six states (Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Washington)


Target: Serve as resource to preliminary work of National Boating Education Standards Panel as it develops criteria for risk-based, data-driven analysis of Standards

Target Team: Deb Gona (resource leader) Bob Sweet, USPS Ted Sensenbrenner, BoatUS


Bullseyes:⊕ Panel seated July 2011; currently in orientation/organizing stages; gathering data resources and studies in anticipation of ‘call for revisions’ to Standards in near future

⊕Carryover into 2012


Target: Serve in advisory role to research project underway on “Reducing Recreational Boating Accidents through Advanced Risk Analysis”

Target Team: Tammy Terry (Charge Leader) Ken Ripley, TN Fred Messmann, NSBC

Bob Sweet, USPS Ted Sensenbrenner, BoatUS


Bullseyes:⊕ Data collection underway in Florida and Ohio

⊕ Electronic data collections units now in use

⊕ Preliminary results from the study to be made available at the spring BLA Workshop; final results to be made available next fall


Target: In follow up to ERAC’s FY 10 review of the Inland Stability Standard, stay informed about progress of Westlawn Institute’s development of ISS distance training module

Target Team: Eric Lundin (Charge Leader) Cody Jones, TX John Adey, ABYC Ted Sensenbrenner, BoatUS


Bullseyes:⊕ Westlawn developed online module, received accreditation from U.S. Dept. of Education

⊕ Anticipate future demonstration of module

NASBLA Strategic Plan DevelopmentERAC input to three- to five-year objectives

Gathered at March 4, 2011, meeting of the full committee

Achieve standardization and consistency in accident reporting terminology and clarity in reporting requirements

Improve quality and quantity of information collected on boating accidents

Analyze data to assess risk, inform resource allocation, and determine effectiveness of boating safety initiatives

NASBLA Strategic Plan DevelopmentERAC input to three- to five-year objectives

Gathered at March 4, 2011, meeting of the full committee

Enhance partnerships in development of boat design and equipment safety standards and in rulemaking

Develop and support stronger understanding of factors associated with life jacket wear

QUESTIONS???