National Water Safety Congress
Est. 1951
The National Water Safety Congress is dedicated to promoting safe use of both private and public water resources in the United States of America.
Est. 1951
The National Water Safety Congress is dedicated to promoting safe use of both private and public water resources in the United States of America.
About Us
Vision Statement
The National Water Safety Congress is dedicated to promoting safe use of both private and public water resources in the United States of America.
Mission Statement
The National Water Safety Congress is committed to continuing their leadership role in advancing the promotion of education for the safety of recreational water activities throughout the United States, and internationally, by addressing water related recreation accidents and drowning throughout the nation. To accomplish this, the Congress will:
- Provide meaningful water safety training and education seminars, through the creation of educational, hands-on programs and providing materials and curriculum to train the trainers and other water safety professionals throughout the country.
- Establish and support local water safety councils and organizations, providing them with the latest educational materials for their regions.
- Award publicly those who have made outstanding contributions in water safety educational efforts or in preventing accidents or loss of life.
- Develop, publish and distribute the most current and proven effective water safety information, including providing hands-on educational curriculum for youth, families and other water safety educators and professionals, with a CONSISTENT message applicable with the direction of the National Recreational Boating Safety Strategic Plan.
- Encourage uniform legislation and reciprocity of boating and water safety laws among the individual states and federal agencies.
The National Water Safety Congress is committed to continuing their leadership role in advancing the promotion of education for the safety of recreational water activities throughout the United States, and internationally, by addressing water related recreation accidents and drowning throughout the nation.
The National Water Safety Congress (NWSC), working in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard will support the mission, goals, and objectives of the National Recreational Boating Safety strategic plan, and will thereby assist in providing and ensuring the public a “safe, secure, and enjoyable recreational boating (and water safety educational) experience”, which will in turn minimize loss of life, injury, and property damage while protecting the environment and cooperating with national security efforts. The National Water Safety Congress has officially signed on to support the Strategic Plan and the NWSC does act as implementing partners of the Strategic Plan.
Who We Are
The National Water Safety Congress (NWSC) is a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization dedicated to serving the general public by promoting recreational water and boating safety in the United States, and has been at the forefront of many boating and water safety issues. The NWSC was organized in 1951 as one of the first non-profit water safety organizations, whose purpose was to take a leadership role to address the growing number of recreation-related boating accidents and the associated property damage, drowning, and deaths associated with the huge growth in water-related recreational activities. In addition to our annual International Summit for Boating and Water Safety, the Congress's activities have grown to include:
- Publication of the nationally/internationally distributed Water Safety Journal; updated version of the NWSC publication of Cold Water Safety Training Manual / Cold Water Boot Camp USA, Personal Watercraft Training and the Multiple Use Waterway Management Guide.
- A nationally known and recognized water safety awards program.
- Involvement in the formulation of legislative and regulatory initiatives.
- Establishment of a wide range of water safety educational classroom AND hands on training programs to be used nationwide, including hosting the annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit.
- Assistance to local entities in the development, formation and support of local water safety councils through technical support and written guidelines.
- Grants to local water safety councils and other non-profit organizations to fund innovative boating and water safety programs.
New Programs
- Cold Water Safety and Rescue Training Programs / Cold Water Boot Camp USA (Pre Summit and available throughout the country at other times of the year)
- Personal Watercraft Basic Operation, Maintenance, and Rescue Course