64 Proceedings | Vol. 83, No. 1 another, creating opportunities to discuss the problem of invasive aquatic species. Regardless of the question, hav- ing access to a well-trained boating safety professional creates the opportunity for boaters to learn how to make boating safer and more enjoyable. Vessel examiners work with individual boaters, and program visitors expand that work by engaging with entities where boaters might be found—marinas, retail and even grocery stores, and gas stations. Program visitors can answer questions from employees and serve as a resource when boat- ers have questions employees cannot answer. A key job for program visi- tors is to leave information that boat- ers can pick up and read for their own education, on their own time. Some of the information is accessed via QR codes on printed material. Other information is found in bro- chures and pamphlets. In the age of QR codes and cell phones, pam- phlets might seem old-fashioned, but they provide a permanent resource whose batteries never die and whose function does not depend on the presence of a working cell tower nearby. Both vessel examiners and program visitors play important roles in promoting boating safety at the local level. “Our Vessel Examiners and Partner Visitors play a crucial role in educating the boating public and our marine partners,” Thomas Niles, director of the V Directorate, said. “Through their personal interactions during vessel safety checks and partner visits, they help explain key safety topics and contribute to making rec- reational boating safety better for everyone involved.” On larger scales, partnerships between the Auxiliary and like-missioned national organizations like the American Canoe Association (ACA) lead to strong national recreational boating safety (RBS) programs. The Auxiliary learns from their boating experts and has an opportunity to promote boating safety. Joint work by Auxiliary and ACA members led to previously dis- cussed research and the creation of Smart Start for Safe Paddling. Smart Start is a resource library that includes a free online course, along with a text, student work- book, and presenter tools. It incorporates the Auxiliary’s boating safety research, experience from ACA’s 145-year history, and the more than 50,000 paddling instruc- tors they have certified, and requirements established by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. The Auxiliary-ACA partnership led to a uniquely evidence-based educational tool that also meets the needs of educators and of regulatory and enforcement agencies. Similar success has occurred with West Marine, the largest marine retailer in the United States. Partnership between West Marine and the Auxiliary led to more than half a million boating safety contacts during National Safe Boating Week in 2025. It also led to vessel safety checks, formal public education classes, and infor- mal educational opportunities being offered at West Marine stores across the country throughout the year. Partnerships with Sea Scouts, a boating-focused part of the Scouting America program, has led to the creation of Auxiliary-sponsored Sea Scout ships. Scouts and their adult leaders learn maritime skills from experienced Auxiliarists, participate in on-water training, and develop leadership skills. Some move into active-duty roles in the Coast Guard and other military branches. Others pursue careers in maritime indus- tries. All learn valuable boating, safety, and leadership skills. Creation of invaluable educational resources, expanded opportunities to deliver boating safety mes- sages, and development of boating safety awareness in Scouts who likely will be future leaders, all result from the Auxiliary’s partnership programs. These are only a small list of examples that demonstrate the value of boat- ing safety programs partnering to achieve joint goals. “Partnerships are a force multiplier for the Auxiliary’s RBS mission,” Rodney Janssen, RBS outreach liaison division chief, said. Strong partnerships are important, and effective com- munications are a key part of creating and maintain- ing them. The Auxiliary communicates RBS messages through many avenues including through a strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, which offers messages about Auxiliary-related topics including boating safety. Auxiliary websites provide a wealth of boating information, as do publications like The Auxiliarist and RBS Job One. Strong communication of high-quality boating safety content, strong national partnerships, and strong local relationships created by skilled Auxiliary members further strengthens the safety net for boaters. Paddlesport Operations There are approximately 35 million paddlers in the United States, using canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, and stand-up paddleboards. They comprise approximately V Directorate is shorthand for the Vessel Examination and Partner Visitation Directorate.
