The United States Coast Guard (USCG) recently launched the 2026 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey (NRBSS).

This nationwide survey collects comprehensive recreational boating data in the U.S., which helps inform safety standards, security efforts, law enforcement programs and boating policies on waterways. The survey is conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, a nonpartisan research organization that partners with government, corporate and nonprofit entities.

USCG will invite over 50,000 households to participate in the NRBSS. Anyone who receives a letter, postcard, email or text is encouraged to complete the survey.

“Your input will help the Coast Guard protect our rivers, oceans, and other waterways,” says the USCG in a press release. “All responses are confidential and will be used only for statistical summaries.”

The survey has not been conducted since 2018 — making this the first year of boating data since the coronavirus pandemic, when boating activity rose across the country.