Safe states alliance will leverage enhanced recreational boating data to improve prevention efforts for drownings and near drownings

Safe States Alliance received a $125,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Coast Guard under the National Nonprofit Organization Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program (CFDA 97.135), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Under this award, Safe States Alliance will leverage enhanced recreational boating data to improve drowning and near-drowning prevention efforts by integrating quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources using the public health child death review model. This initiative will develop actionable prevention insights designed to reduce recreational boating-related fatalities through real-time data collection and analysis.

The project bridges the public health and recreational boating sectors through a coordinated, evidence-informed approach to injury prevention. By employing established public health surveillance methodologies and data integration strategies, Safe States Alliance will generate findings that support prevention programming and policy development within the boating safety community. This award represents the Coast Guard's continued investment in national-scope boating safety initiatives focused on data-driven prevention strategies, consistent with the program's emphasis on research and analysis to minimize loss of life and personal injury in recreational boating contexts.

Using the public health child death review model, the initiative will integrate quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources to develop actionable insights for prevention. This project will bridge public health and recreational boating sectors to reduce fatalities through real-time data collection and analysis.