NBSAC

The National Boating Safety Advisory Committee (NBSAC) was originally established as the National Boating Safety Advisory Council by the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971. The law requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard by delegation, to consult with the Committee in prescribing Federal regulations, and regarding other major boating safety matters. The Committee has consistently provided invaluable advice to the Coast Guard on a broad range of boating safety matters.

NBSAC typically holds two meetings a year, usually in the spring and fall. Meetings are open to the public, and meeting times, location and agenda are published in the Federal Register. The Director of Inspections & Compliance (CG-5PC) in Coast Guard Headquarters is the Council's Sponsor, and the Chief, Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety (CG-BSX) is NBSAC's Designated Federal Officer (DFO).

General Information

The authority for National Boating Safety Advisory Committee (NBSAC) to operate is found in 46 USC 15105. The current charter expires March of 2024.

The manner in which NBSAC is operated is governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the NBSAC charter and NBSAC bylaws.

The Federal Advisory Committee Act was enacted in 1972 to ensure that advice by the various advisory committees formed over the years is objective and accessible to the public. The Act formalized a process for establishing, operating, overseeing, and terminating these advisory bodies and created the Committee Management Secretariat to monitor compliance with the Act.

In 1976, Executive Order 12024 delegated to the administrator of GSA all responsibilities of the president for implementing the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Secretariat operations are directed at reporting to the president and Congress on the activities of at least 1000 federal advisory committees.

Executive orders and congressional revisions have further refined the extension and the application of the Act in 1993, 1997, and 1998, and the extent and nature of the Secretariat's reporting of the activities of the committees.

More information on FACA issues can be found at: www.gsa.gov/committeemanagement.

NBSAC Charter and Bylaws

The Charter and bylaws provide the day-to-day framework for NBSAC operations. The current charter and bylaws may be found at the links below.

NBSAC Membership

NBSAC consists of 21 members drawn equally from state officials responsible for state boating safety programs; representatives of the boating industry; and representatives of national recreational boating organizations and the general public. The Secretary of Homeland Security appoints NBSAC Members. Members are appointed for a three-year term, which will expire on December 31st of the third year of the appointment.

NBSAC Subcommittees

NBSAC operates with three standing subcommittees and forms ad hoc subcommittees on an as need basis. The three standing subcommittees are Prevention through People, Boats and Associated Equipment and Strategic Planning. These subcommittees consider a multitude of boating safety issues and forward to the full Committee issues which the Committee should consider making a recommendation to the Coast Guard.