National Advisory Council tackles public policy issues - Boat U.S. Reports

A variety of hot topics, including the merger of the U.S. Coast Guard into the new Department of Homeland Security, were debated during the annual meeting of the BoatU.S. National Advisory Council at association headquarters last October.

During the two-day event the Council agreed that this massive governmental reorganization should, on balance, ultimately benefit the boating public as the Coast Guard should receive a substantial boost in funding for its manpower, ships, planes and communications systems. BoatU.S. was encouraged to work closely with the Coast Guard during the transition.

Pictured from left are: Michael Sciulla, BoatU.S. V.P. for Government and Public Affairs; Everette Tucker, Immediate Past National Commodore, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; Lance Jensen, Immediate Past Chief Commander, U.S. Power Squadrons; John Bonds, former executive director U.S. Sailing Association; Chairman Emeritus Elbert "Mack" Maloney, author, Chapman's and Duttons; Dean Clarke, executive editor, Sport Fishing magazine; Council Chairman Tony Gibbs, a former editor of The New Yorker and Yachting; Chuck Husick, boating columnist and former president of Chris Craft Boats; Jim Ellis, BoatU.S. Executive V.P.; Russ Robinson, president, Recreational Boaters of California; Charles Holmes, national director, Sea Scouts/Boy Scouts of America; Adm. Robert Nelson, former Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; Bill Schanen, editor and publisher, Sailing magazine; Adm. Owen SlIer, former Coast Guard Commandant; BoatU.S. Chairman Richard Schwartz; BoatU.S. president Bill Oakerson and Robert W. Davis, a former Member of Con gress.