Thom Dammrich Presents NMMA Views on Mandatory Lifejackets at Annual NASBLA Conference
NMMA President Thom Dammrich presented NMMA’s views at the 2011 NASBLA Conference, as part of a panel on mandatory lifejacket reform. The panel also featured NBSAC Chairman James Muldoon; BoatUS Government Affairs Vice President Margaret Podlich; American Canoe Association COO Christopher Stec; Jeffrey Hoedtfrom the U.S. Coast Guard and NASBLA Executive Board member Herb Angell.
Thom noted that NMMA continues to push for life jacket regulation reform so that U.S. lifejackets designed for continuous wear can be approved. However, there is work to be done in order to align U.S. life jacket standards with European standards. This alignment will streamline the approval process, lower costs and open the door to allow youth 16 and younger to wear inflatable lifejackets which is not permitted under current law. Thom also noted that NMMA supports mandatory boater education.
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