NTSB TO HOLD FORUM ON PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public forum to discuss mandatory wear of personal flotation devices (PFD) on recreational boats. The one-day forum will begin at 9:00 am on August 25, 2004 at the NTSB Academy in Ashburn, VA.

The purpose of the forum is to gather all available data, and to promote an open and informative discussion of policy issues related to mandatory PFD use.

The Safety Board has a long history of working to improve recreational boating safety. Enhancing recreational boating safety has been on the Board's "Most Wanted" list of transportation safety improvements since its inception in 1990.

Some of the issues discussed at the forum will be:

• The impact of federal and/or state legislation that would mandate wearing of PFDs on recreational boats
• Various vessels and type of operation that should be included in or exempted from mandatory wear rules
• Alternatives to mandatory wear rules
• New PFD technology

The forum will be webcast on the Board's website at www.ntsb.gov. Registration details and agenda for the forum and directions to the Academy may also be found on the website.

NTSB Media Contacts: Keith Holloway, (202) 314-6100