ALAUX 016/26 Subj: AUXILIARY SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY SURVEY (NRBSS)
1. The Coast Guard recently announced the launch of the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey (NRBSS), which is the only source of boating data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Coast Guard administers the National Recreational Boating Safety Program. Data from the NRBSS guides federal and state boating safety programs and helps reduce accidents by identifying high-risk behaviors. This is the first comprehensive survey conducted since 2018, which is critical for understanding the post-2020 surge in recreational boating activities.
2. Beginning March 2026 until February 2027, randomly selected U.S. households and boat owners will receive invitations by mail to participate in the NRBSS. Auxiliarists may be asked questions about the survey by the boating public. Boaters that are eligible to take the survey include boaters, paddlers, boat owners/borrowers and renters.
3. Auxiliarists are encouraged to promote the NRBSS survey by attaching the QR code stickers for the survey to the blank space on the bottom of the “QR Code Rack Card” (ANSC- 3003a). These survey QR code stickers and flyers will be mailed to flotillas in April 2026 and can be attached to the supply of ANSC-3003a rack cards that were provided during the delivery of Vessel Safety Check decals. This QR code enables a boater to volunteer to take the survey. Flyers can be posted in public places to inform boaters of the survey.
4. Flotillas are encouraged to promote the NRBSS survey on their unit social media channels.
Example text is below:
Title: Volunteer for the 2026 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey!
Body: The National Recreational Boating Safety Survey (NRBSS) is a nationwide survey sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard to understand how many people go boating, what types of boats they use, and how often they are on the water. As part of the survey, we are asking for volunteers to complete a brief sign-up page asking about their boating habits and share their contact information with the Coast Guard so a wide range of boaters can be invited to participate in the larger NRBSS survey later in the year.
To volunteer, please go to: https://norcfed.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0ezfBlrTYxLdG4e.
5. Additional stock of ANSC-3003a rack cards is available for order through traditional channels. Public Affairs events, Partner Visits, Public Education classes, Boat Shows and Vessel Safety Check stations are among the best opportunities to promote the survey.
6. Survey QR code stickers and flyers after the mailing will only be available for order at the following site: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/G2eggmzzzh.
7. For more information on the NRBSS, please visit https://uscgboating.org/statistics/national-recreational-boating-safety-survey.php.
8. Internet release is authorized.
Sincerely,
Brent R. Schmadeke
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Chief, Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety (CG-BSX)
