Statistics Show Decline in Reported Boating Incidents, Injuries & Fatalities

The Division of Boating of Waterways noted at today’s Boating and Waterways Commission meeting that the number of recreational boating incidents, injuries and fatalities reported to the division in 2023 has decreased from the previous year:

Source - Division of Boating and Waterways December 6, 2023 Boating and Waterways Commission Meeting

Boat Registration Fee Increase Update

RBOC is pleased to report that the efforts of thousands of individual boaters, the boating community and industry, and our national advocacy partner BoatUS have saved California boaters from paying $60 more in state boat registration fees that would have begun July 1 of this year.

The legislation establishing California’s 2023-2024 fiscal year budget did not resolve the ongoing $20 million annual deficiency in the Division of Boating and Waterways’ Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund. The issue has not been finally resolved and the issue will be revisited in 2024 when the Legislature convenes the second year of the 2023-2024 legislative session.

State Urges Boaters Complete Short Survey to Improve its free Pumpout Nav app

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways [DBW] is requesting boater feedback by September 8 on a short, anonymous survey to help improve the Pumpout Nav app for boat owners to use:

Dear Boaters:

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, along with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, invite you to participate in an evaluation to improve the FREE Pumpout Nav app by completing a short survey. No previous experience with the app is needed. The survey should only take about five minutes to complete, and responses are confidential. No personal or identifying information will be collected. Your help is pretty important to us!

The Pumpout Nav app allows you to search for nearby sewage pumpout facilities, dump stations, and floating restrooms, and provides information on a number of topics that are interesting and relevant to boaters.

The link to the survey is HERE
Deadline to complete this survey is September 8th

Join other boaters in providing your valuable feedback to help us keep our waterways clean and safe for all!

Thank you for your help

Update on RBOC-BoatU.S. Call to Action - Vessel Registration Fee Increase

An update, with thanks to thousands of boaters who have been contacting their elected representatives in the California Senate and Assembly regarding the Governor’s proposal to increase boat registration fees by 300%.

The Governor has announced his signature of a package of 24 measures that includes the budget bill junior as well as numerous budget trailer bills: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/07/10/governor-newsom-signs-infrastructure-budget-legislation-to-build-more-faster/

This package does not include a revision to the vessel registration fees [set forth in Vehicle Code Section 9853].  The text of the previously announced budget trailer bill has not surfaced.

This package does not include an extension of the 1-1-24 sunset of the statute providing that a portion of initial vessel registration fees is provided to CARB [set forth Vehicle Code Section 9853.6].  It is our understanding that SB 84  [Gonzalez] that would extend the sunset will not move forward, and that AB 241 [Reyes] which as amended no longer includes this provision is the measure that may move forward.

The ongoing deficiency in the state Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund has therefore not been resolved for the state fiscal year that began on July 1.

The Governor and his administration have not stated that they are no longer proceeding with their proposed vessel registration fee increase, or that they have revised the proposal.

The Legislature is scheduled to begin its month-long summer recess on July 14, returning on August 14 for a final month of action.

So the possibility remains that the issue will be engaged before the Legislature adjourns on September 14.

RBOC is therefore continuing with our call-to-action, encouraging boaters to continue contacting their state legislators. To do so: click here

Join us for our Boater Town Hall Zoom Webinar on Wednesday June 28

RBOC & BoatU.S. invite boaters and clubs to join us for a timely and concise one-hour Zoom Webinar with updates on our advocacy efforts including:

Boat Registration Fee Increase

Details on the Governor’s proposal to raise registration fees by 300%, and how you can take action.

Speed Limits, Abandoned Vessels, Delta Conveyance, Offshore Wind Energy & More

An overview of the key issues impacting boating and our advocacy efforts.

The Town Hall will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

Register in advance for this webinar [no fee]: click here

 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 

What our National Advocacy Partner BoatU.S. has to say about us....

California ranks 4th when it comes to registered boats among our 50 states. Luckily Golden State boaters have a strong voice thanks to their regional advocacy group, a BoatU.S. partner.

Read the article “The Recreational Boaters of California: Advocates since 1968” in the June edition of BoatUS Magazine: click here

The San Diego skyline on San Diego Bay. California is a perennial Top 5 state for pleasure boats with 645,951 registered in 2020. 

RBOC Supporting Confirmation of DBW Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez

RBOC is urging the Senate Rules Committee to recommend that the full Senate confirm Governor Newsom’s appointment of Ramona Fernandez as Deputy Director of the Division of Boating and Waterways within the Department of Parks and Recreation.

RBOC has had numerous, direct and positive experiences with Ms. Fernandez in her leadership role as Deputy Director of the Division of Boating and Waterways. She has displayed an open and engaged approach with all stakeholders and interests on each issue.

This has been especially clear as Ms. Fernandez has led the dedicated division staff, Boating and Waterways Commission members, and the public through a comprehensive stakeholder process to consider the stated deficiency in the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund and actions that can be taken.

The mission and efforts of the Division of Boating and Waterways will be enhanced and advanced by having Ms. Fernandez confirmed as Deputy Director.

RBOC Advocating for Governor and Legislature to Adopt Recommendations on Boating Taxes & Fees in State Budgetnd

California’s boating community and industry together support the dedication and utilization of boater fees and taxes for programs and services that directly benefit boaters.

As a part of our ongoing advocacy efforts on this issue, RBOC and several like-minded boating organizations wrote to State Parks Director Quintero and other officials today to re-affirm our interests, concerns, and requests as the state budget for FY 2023-2024 is being developed prior to the start of that fiscal year on July 1.

We appreciate the decision made by the Governor and Legislature within the state budget for the current fiscal year to refrain from significantly increasing boat registration fees, and in convening a stakeholder process to provide a path to expanded opportunities for all Californians to enjoy on-the-water recreation in the years ahead.

This process provided the opportunity for all interested parties and the state to review the expenditure of more than $100 million each year in fuel tax dollars attributable to boats owners. Within that review, we were able to assess a need to determine the most effective and efficient use of those funds, to identify approaches for increasing the disproportionally small percentage of those monies currently directed to boating programs, and to enhance the financial participation of non-boaters who benefit from the current and future programs.

We anticipate that the Governor’s May Budget Revise may propose one or more solutions to the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] deficiency. We urge the administration and the Legislature to ensure that the recommendations developed through this stakeholder process are incorporated.

They include:

• A comprehensive report on the economic impact of recreational boating in California.

• The enhanced participation and financial contribution of non-boating stakeholders and beneficiaries who benefit from current and future programs and services.

• The enhancement of the statutory authority and role of the Commission to provide not only advice, but also consent on the Division’s loans and grants from the HWRF.

• The identification of approaches that can be taken to meet the new challenges identified through the stakeholder engagement process such as the number of abandoned and derelict vessels not currently addressed by the existing SAVE grant program.

• The enhancement of the Division’s administration of essential programs.

• The identification of efficiencies and improvements to programs that are not attracting the desired number of recipients due to statutory requirements that may be out-of-date, obsolete, or non-competitive.

• Encouragement of Californians to take advantage of the unique and diverse on-the-water opportunities that exist throughout the state.

• A return of a significant amount of the motor vehicle fuel taxes directly generated by recreational boaters to the HWRF.

• An identification and expenditure of other funds for grants directed to beach erosion control.

• As appropriate, a vessel registration fee adjustment that is reasonable and that corresponds to the revenues and savings that are recommended above.

With the dedicated leadership provided by members of the Boating and Waterways Commission and the personnel at the Division of Boating and Waterways, the boating community engaged in the extensive stakeholder process with optimism that the recom-mendations would inform budgetary decisions and policy initiatives to enhance unique California’s on-the-water opportunities for all Californians.

The process concluded at the end of last year with the submission of each subcommittee’s report to the Division of Boating and Waterways and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

We are urging the administration and the Legislature to incorporate the recommendations into the May budget revise and related budget legislation that will be released in the near future.

For a copy of today’s letter: click here

RBOC Advocating for the Best Use of Boater Taxes & Fees

RBOC supports the dedication of boater fees and taxes for programs and services that directly benefit boaters. 

We therefore appreciate the decision made by the Governor and Legislature with the state budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 to refrain from significantly increasing boat registration fees and convening a stakeholder process.

This public process of engagement has been underway for the past several months, with three subcommittees led by Boating and Waterways Commissioners and supported by the expert staff of the Division of Boating and Waterways.  A wide variety of boating community stakeholders are actively participating.

This process is providing the opportunity for all interested parties and the state to review the expenditure of more than $100 million each year in fuel tax dollars attributable to boats, the most effective and efficient use of those funds, to identify approaches for increasing the small percentage of those monies currently directed to boating programs, and to enhance the financial participation of non-boaters who benefit from the current and future programs.

RBOC is encouraged with the progress being made and the consideration that is being given to the suggestions made by the boating community in our July 14 letter [click here] and in the input being provided by organizations and individuals throughout the subcommittee discussions.

The full commission may consider finalization of its recommendations at its November meeting. The commission’s input will inform the Division of Boating and Waterways and the Department of Parks and Recreation as a report is prepared for submission to the Legislature.

RBOC Testifies as Air Board Considers New Emission Requirements for Commercial Harbor Craft

RBOC joined dozens of stakeholders testifying in today’s meeting of the California Air Resources Board as it considered a revised proposal establishing lower emission requirements for commercial harbor crafts.

CARB Meeting March 24, 2022

RBOC’s efforts are in furtherance of its position as set forth in comments submitted in November of 2021 [click here], working together with our national advocacy partner BoatU.S., sportfishing groups and boating industry organizations.

Today, the CARB board adopted Resolution 22-6 [click here] with improvements to the updated regulations to allow for compliance flexibilities and extensions as well as alternative emission control strategies. The adopted resolution also creates a stakeholder process and technical working group, establishes midterm reviews, and identifies additional considerations going forward.

As described by CARB, the updates to the regulations will impose “more stringent in-use and new vessel requirements and expand regulatory requirements to vessel categories that did not previously need to upgrade engines, such as certain types of barges, research vessels, work boats, and commercial passenger fishing vessels. The in-use regulatory amendments would require that the majority of regulated in-use and new vessels meet a performance standard equivalent to the cleanest available engine standards: Tier 3 (or 4 if certified for the horsepower range) plus a diesel particulate filter (DPF).”

“The Proposed Amendments would also include engines below 50 horsepower in the CHC Regulation, which are currently excluded from the CHC Regulation’s in-use performance standards. However, the Proposed Amendments still provide a low-use compliance exception for vessel engines with infrequent operation. The Proposed Amendments include requirements for the adoption of ZEAT where feasible for all operations in California. CARB staff has identified two areas that are technologically feasible and cost effective for zero emission- operations: new and in-use short run ferries, and new excursion vessels. The Proposed Amendments include additional pathways for adopting ZEAT for any CHC operation where a given operation is feasible but not required. The Proposed Amendments’ implementation timeline consists of compliance deadlines between 2023 and 2032. If eligible and approved, compliance dates can be extended to as late as 2034.’

RBOC Advocating to Protect Commercial Fishing at March 24 Air Board Meeting

RBOC will be testifying in the March 24 meeting of the California Air Resources Board [CARB] in opposition to the proposed commercial harbor craft air emission regulations that would negatively impact commercial charter fishing and whale watching vessel owners, ports, and coastal communities.

RBOC and our national advocacy partner BoatU.S. are engaged with the coalition of national and state organizations representing sportfishing, boating, fishing tackle manufacturers, marine organizations, harbor authorities and retailers that are rushing to the defense of California sportfishing and whale watching boat owners.

For more on this issue, the advocacy engagement as well as the formal comments submitted by RBOC, BoatU.S. and others within a coalition effort: click here

Boaters planning to testify in Thursday’s meeting should register with CARB in advance: click here

The specific agenda item is:
• 22-5-1: Public Hearing to Consider Proposed Amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation

RBOC Directors Lobbying California Legislators on Key 2022 Issues

The voluntary members of the RBOC Board of Directors have begun a series of virtual meetings today with members of the California Senate and Assembly to advocate on several key measures including:

  • Boater Fees and Taxes - State Parks & Division of Boating and Waterways

  • Outdoor Recreation and Preservation of Water

  • Beach Erosion and Replenishment

  • Abandoned and Derelict Commercial Vessels

  • Human and Medical Waste in Waterways

  • Boating and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

  • Dredging

For the RBOC Key Issue Update: Click here

State and National Sportfishing and Boating Organizations Send Up Flares

RBOC and our national advocacy partner BoatU.S. are engaged with the coalition of national and state organizations representing sportfishing, boating, fishing tackle manufacturers, marine organizations, harbor authorities and retailers that are rushing to the defense of California sportfishing and whale watching boat owners. Today’s press release:

State and National Sportfishing and Boating Organizations Send Up Flares

California’s proposed engine emission regulations could undermine recent gains in fishing participation rates, conservation funding and economic activity

(San Diego, CA): With just weeks before the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is expected to rule on controversial harbor craft engine emission regulations, a coalition of national and state organizations representing sportfishing, boating, fishing tackle manufacturers, marine organizations, harbor authorities and retailers are rushing to the defense of California sportfishing and whale watching boat owners.

In the coalition’s letter to the CARB Board, the coalition expresses concerns associated with engine emission regulations that are economically and structurally infeasible for commercial passenger boats that provide millions of Californians and foreign visitors access to sportfishing, whale watching, eco-tourism and scuba diving. By CARB’s own admission, if the regulations are adopted, boat owners that can’t afford to construct and purchase new compliant vessels that can house the mandated heavier Diesel engines and equipment would be required to go out of business as early as January 2023.

The letter highlights that during the COVID-19 pandemic the Nation experienced a surge in fishing participation that include diverse audiences, specifically, nontraditional participants that are younger, more urban, and more diverse with significant gains among women, African Americans, and Hispanics. The coalition is concerned that as passenger sportfishing boats are removed from service or passenger ticket prices are increased to pay for regulatory costs, it will only undermine recent progress made by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to increase fishing participation and license sales that fund the department’s conservation and fishery programs. California’s fishing participation rate (per capita) is the lowest in the Nation, demonstrating how fragile the recent increase in participation may be if CARB rules make it unaffordable.

“CARB’s regulations will have the unintended consequence of denying millions of Californians access to the sea as commercial passenger boat owners go out of business,” said Ken Franke, president of the Sportfishing Association of California. “CARB fails to recognize that passenger boats are a valued source of outdoor recreation and economic activity in California. For most Californians, these boats are their only access to offshore sportfishing and marine life.”

Additionally, CARB failed to consult with the CDFW to determine what impact declining fishing participation rates could have on conservation and fishery programs, both offshore and inland. Both fishing license sales and a federal excise tax on fishing tackle and boat fuel fund many of CDFW’s environmental programs with the Federal Government matching $3 for every state dollar contributed.

“When California’s 2 million anglers fish off one of the Nation’s longest coastlines, they buy fishing licenses that fund conservation and fishery programs that protect local habitat,” said Franke. “Unfortunately, CARB did not evaluate the environmental and economic impact of regulations that will have a devasting impact on sportfishing and eco-tourism all along California’s coast.”

Additionally, CARB’s Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment failed to examine the economic impacts on coastal tourism and outdoor retail sales at a time when Governor Gavin Newsom has made it his priority to restore the half of 1.2 million hospitality and tourism jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CARB’s regulations have invited bipartisan opposition from State Legislators and a coalition of over 60 local, state and national organizations representing small business, tourism, marina/harbors, local agencies, retail, non-profits, boating and sportfishing. In addition, over 20,000 anglers signed a petition pleading with Governor Newsom to Save Our Boats.

Background

On September 21, 2021, CARB released its Proposed Amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation. The public comment period is September 24 – November 15th, and the CARB Board, appointed largely by Governor Gavin Newsom, is expected to rule November 19, 2021. Over 1,700 public comments have been submitted to CARB so far.

CARB’s regulations require engines to be modified with technology that has not been developed yet for 174 commercial inspected passenger fishing vessels and in most cases, the modifications will be too massive to fit into existing engine rooms. This led the California State University Maritime Academy to conclude that the proposed standards for existing engines does not exist and in the alternative, “… treatment equipment (modifications) alone significantly impacts the vessel’s stability.” This led CARB to conclude vessel replacement is likely.

California is one of America’s premiere fishing destinations with over a half a million people a year fishing from sportfishing boats, supporting coastal communities, marinas, and small businesses dependent on outdoor tourism for economic activity, jobs, and tax revenue. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, California’s over 2 million anglers contributed $5.6 billion a year in economic activity and supported nearly 40,000 jobs for our State.

Between 2019-2020, California fishing license sales increased 19 percent, bringing in an additional $12.6 million in revenue for California Department of Fish and Wildlife programs.

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation reports that in 2020 fishing participation rates increased to a 12-year high, with growth among nontraditional participants that are younger, more urban, and more diverse, with significant gains among women, African Americans, and Hispanics.

The Sportfishing Association of California (SAC) is a trade organization representing Southern California sportfishing and whale watching boat and landing owners. The Golden State Fishermen’s Association represents commercial passenger fishing vessels and marine recreational anglers in Northern California.

250% Boat Registration Fee Hike - Prevented for Now

RBOC appreciates the action taken by Governor Newsom and the State Legislature to remove a proposed 250% increase in boat registration fees from the state budget in response to the serious concerns raised by RBOC, our national advocacy partner BoatU.S., and boating associations including the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, Southern California Yachting Association, Marine Recreation Association, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, California Yacht Brokers Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, thousands of California boaters who took action, and several other allied organizations.

"This is the right decision for boaters," responded RBOC President Winston Bumpus. "The further we look into the many different pots where boater-generated fuel tax dollars are placed, the more questions boaters have identified about the fairness of a registration fee increase."

Continued Bumpus: "For instance, boaters pay $107 million each year in fuel taxes to the state, yet only $15 million [14%] is provided to the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] for a number of programs and services including boater education and operator certification, safety and enforcement on the waterways, boating facilities, removal of abandoned and derelict watercraft, and efforts to combat invasive species."

Added David B. Kennedy with BoatU.S. Government Affairs: "This is a great demonstration of the benefits of boaters engaging on issues that matter to their boating. Working with RBOC, over 4,000 messages were sent by BoatU.S. members to the legislature and governor. It's clear their voices were heard."

The final state budget action allocates state general fund dollars to the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund [HWRF] administered by the Division of Boating and Waterways [DBW] for a variety of programs and services that benefit boaters.

RBOC and others will participate in a public stakeholder process DBW will initiate in the near future to develop recommendations to the Legislature for long-term solutions to the deficiencies that DBW and State Parks state that the HWRF is experiencing. Boat registration fees will be part of that conversation, together with efficiencies and improvements to existing programs and revisions to better serve the boating public.

Governor Signs RBOC-supported "Fix-It Ticket" Legislation for Vessel Violations

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law AB 591 [Villapudua] that will provide incentives for boaters to correct certain violations by authorizing an officer to issue a written notice containing a violator’s promise to correct an alleged violation of various offenses relating to vessels.

Similar incentives have already been established in the California Vehicle Code. Section 40303.5 of that code provides that certain vehicle-related violations may [and must] be corrected.  However, no such authority exists in the Harbors and Navigation Code for boating violations. AB 591 would correct this oversight.

AB 591 allows for several specified boating law violations to be corrected, such as having an expired vessel registration, not having serviceable fire extinguishers, or not having a boater card in the operator’s possession. Under AB 591, an increased number of corrections will be made, and safety will be enhanced.

The bill will require an officer, unless certain specified conditions exists, to permit a person arrested for the following vessel-related offenses to execute a notice containing a violator’s promise to correct the alleged violation:

  • Expired registration.

  • Failure to paint the vessel identification number on the forward half of the boat.

  • Operating a vessel propelled by an engine without possessing an operating license.

  • Failure to display registration stickers.

  • Using a recreational boat without a proper floatation device, as specified.

  • Operating a vessel without a properly serviced fire extinguisher.

  • Having a fire extinguisher without the proper metallic name plate, as specified.

The measure was sponsored by the California State Sheriffs’ Association.