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Dave Marlow, Senior Director of Product Integrity for Brunswick Corporation, represented the recreational marine industry. In his remarks, Marlow, who also served as former chair of the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee, underscored the industry's longstanding commitment to boating safety and the strong partnerships that help ensure safety remains the top priority, noting “[I]n 2024, recreational boating recorded the fewest fatalities in more than 50 years. That achievement did not happen by accident. It is the result of a successful partnership among industry, the Coast Guard, state boating agencies, safety organizations, and Congress.” 

Several members of Congress, including subcommittee and full committee leadership, participated throughout the two-hour discussion. The discussion focused on marine safety and the impact of modern technologies and user dynamics.

Marlow thanked the committee for its support of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (Trust Fund) and urged Congress to reauthorize the Trust Fund before its Sept. 30 expiration. Each year, the Trust Fund contributes a significant amount of its resources toward recreational boating safety programs and initiatives, which benefit boater education, standards development, and law enforcement training.

The NMMA appreciates the subcommittee’s leadership in holding this important roundtable and looks forward to continuing to work with the committee on issues related to recreational boating safety.

For more information, contact NMMA’s Clay Crabtree, Interim Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations, at [email protected].