In March 2000 a University of California researcher, his graduate student and three others died in a boating accident in the Sea of Cortez . The deaths caused many research institutions to evaluate their scientific small boat use and policies. While there were many well organized and established boating safety programs already in place, the evaluations found other instances where no boating program was in place at all. Many times institutions found that:

•  Many programs were informal; documentation may not have been complete

•  Training was on an as needed basis, with few curriculum or instructor qualification guidelines

•  Often there was no clear responsibility for safety issues and equipment maintenance

•  Funding issues were common; in some cases there was no dedicated budget for boating at all

It was decided that most effective way to support boating safety was to bring many of the current west coast scientific boating programs together to share ideas and strategies. A three day meeting was held at the University of California 's Bodega Marine Laboratory in March 2005 to discuss:

•  Bringing together those teaching small boat courses to share ideas and methods

•  Comparison of institution's curriculum & guidelines

•  Risk management concerns

•  Reciprocity for boaters moving between institutions

•  Consensus standard for small boat policy

The workshop was attended by 23 representatives responsible for vessel operations at 14 different research institutions and government agencies on the west coast. Many of the objectives were met, including a draft of a generic boating safety manual. The participants also agreed to form an association of west coast regional boating safety programs to address common issues. Membership is comprised of organizations that have boat-supported research programs. The group was originally called the Pacific Scientific Boating Safety Association.

With lines of communication opened, and progress being made, a second meeting was held at UCSC's Long Marine Lab in July 2005 followed by another meeting held at Hubbs Seaworld in San Diego in January 2006 when the SBSA Boating Safety Manual was approved. It was also decided to form a non-profit association; the name was shortened to Scientific Boating Safety Association (SBSA).

By becoming a formalized association the SBSA benefits because:

•  Following consensus guidelines reduces risk management issues

•  Standardized training increases safety for students and researchers

•  Reciprocity simplifies inter-institution projects and boat operator qualification

•  The SBSA would have a stronger voice when representing scientific boating in discussions with federal and state agencies

•  Allow growth and increased membership from other national regions

SBSA members are dedicated to help facilitate scientific boating programs in a safe and effective manner.