BoatUS Launches 2026 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey

The U.S. Coast Guard has launched its 2026 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey (NRBSS), a key data initiative that will provide state-level insights into boating participation, vessel types and usage frequency across the country.

Funded through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, the survey plays a critical role in shaping safety programs and informing policy decisions that impact the recreational boating industry.

Conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, the nonpartisan research effort will collect responses from more than 50,000 households across all 50 states and the District of Columbia over the next year. The data will include input from individuals who own or rent boats, offering a comprehensive view of on-water activity nationwide.

For industry stakeholders, the survey results serve as a foundational resource to better understand participation trends, inform safety investments and support data-driven decision-making at the national, state and local levels. BoatUS is encouraging selected households to participate, noting that strong engagement will help ensure the data accurately reflects today's boating landscape.

Selected households will be contacted via mail, email and text to participate in the survey.

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