Congressional Boating Caucus Briefing Highlights American Marine Innovation

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) joined the Congressional Boating Caucus on September 17 for a Capitol Hill briefing highlighting how American marine manufacturers are using new technology to make boating safer, smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.

The briefing, American Innovation on the Water, brought together congressional staff and leaders from Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, Brunswick Corporation, the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA), and Polaris to showcase the breadth of innovation taking place across the recreational marine industry.

Opening remarks by NMMA Board Chairman Ben Speciale highlighted recreational boating's unique place in American manufacturing. The industry generates $230 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 812,000 jobs across 36,000 U.S. businesses. Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the United States are made domestically, and 93 percent of boat builders are small businesses.

The panel then gave congressional staff a closer look at how the recreational marine manufacturing base is driving the next generation of marine technology.

Brunswick Corporation discussed advances in autonomous and assisted boating, including Simrad AutoCaptain, which can autonomously dock, undock, and maneuver a recreational boat at close range. The company also highlighted how commercially developed marine technology is being adapted for new applications, including the TSUNAMI uncrewed surface vessel platform developed with Textron Systems for U.S. government and defense operations.

NMEA highlighted the recreational marine industry's work to use electronics, sensors, data, and artificial intelligence to improve situational awareness and marine safety. That includes work through the Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce, or WAVS, where industry partners are testing technologies such as radar, cameras, artificial intelligence, and real-time data sharing to better detect whales and reduce the risk of vessel strikes.

Polaris shared how continued investment in boat design, propulsion, materials, and onboard technology is improving the boating experience while supporting skilled manufacturing jobs and local communities. Its marine brands, including Bennington, Godfrey, and Hurricane, continue to introduce new designs and technologies, with recent products earning national marine innovation awards.

Throughout the discussion, a common theme emerged: marine innovation does not happen in isolation. New technologies depend on a strong American manufacturing base, skilled workers, suppliers, dealers, marinas, and the infrastructure that allows Americans to reach and enjoy the water. Panelists also encouraged congressional staff to consider at the marine industry as a resource with a strong domestic footprint, but also to recognize that the industry works beyond recreation, and exists in a larger technology-driven manufacturing environment, and supports sectors such as defense, public safety, and natural resources protection.

The conversation also connected innovation and manufacturing to several policy issues before Congress. NMMA highlighted the bipartisan Boat Loan Interest Deduction Act of 2026, introduced by Congressional Boating Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Rudy Yakym (R-IN) and Don Davis (D-NC), as well as ongoing work surrounding the Water Resources Development Act, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. These policies address different pieces of the boating ecosystem, including American-made manufacturing, recreation infrastructure, conservation, and public water access.

The briefing took place during a significant week for the recreational boating, fishing, and broader outdoor recreation communities in Washington. On September 16, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation hosted its 37th Annual Banquet, bringing together members of Congress, industry leaders, and conservation partners to recognize America's sporting and conservation traditions. NMMA was proud to be a sponsor, with a full-page Waterways Access Initiative ad featured in the program.

That evening, President Donald Trump hosted approximately 100 hunting, fishing, and conservation leaders at the White House Rose Garden for the Great American Outdoorsmen dinner. During the event, the President signed the Restoring American Saltwater Angling and RecreationExecutive Order, which directs federal agencies to modernize recreational fisheries data and management, strengthen state-federal partnerships, address barriers to marine access, and make greater use of technological advancements for marine mammal avoidance.

Those directives closely echoed many of the themes discussed during the Congressional Boating Caucus briefing earlier in the day - particularly the opportunity to use better technology and better data to advance conservation while maintaining safe and reliable access to public waters.