The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Marine Law Enforcement Section (OHP-MLS) has become the eighteenth organization in the country to be
accredited by the NASBLA Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program. This accreditation recognizes the OHP-MLS as having successfully implemented a National Standard of training, typing and
credentialing.
The Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program, established by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by its membership, the 50 United States and six territories, and by the United States Coast Guard as the National Standard of training, typing and credentialing, was created to ensure the readiness of law enforcement and emergency response boat crews throughout the country. Agencies who choose to adopt this National Standard assure their ability to conduct missions on our nation’s waterways safely and effectively, and operate seamlessly with their federal, state, county, tribal and local maritime partners.
The marine law enforcement branch of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol provides service to 38 state lakes and recreation areas consisting of 4,385 miles of shoreline and 490,215 surface acres of water. In addition to regular water patrol duties, troopers are called upon to conduct search and rescue missions, investigate boating accidents and drowning incidents and assist state and local authorities in natural disaster situations where their expertise is needed.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Law Enforcement Section will be formally recognized at the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) annual conference this September in Rapid City, South Dakota.