Wheeler Elected Chair, National Boating Education Standards Panel
Jeff Wheeler, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boat Forces has been appointed to serve as the Chair of the National Boating Education Standards Panel (ESP). In December, the NASBLA Executive Board met and confirmed the appointments for the 2019-2020 Education Standards Panel.
The Education Standards Panel performs the primary function of review, and as required, updating the current NASBLA National Boating Education Standards in an open and structured manner to meet the needs of the recreational boating community. The Panel works to identify and implement a consensus-based process in conformance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Essential Requirements for the purposes of reviewing, developing, revising, and promulgating knowledge and competency standards for the recreational boater and boating professionals.
The National Boating Education Standards, originally adopted by the NASBLA membership in 1999, are intended to prescribe the minimum body of knowledge to effect safe, legal, and enjoyable recreational boating and to serve as a basis for boating education courses approved by NASBLA and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Education Standards Panel is the committee designated by NASBLA to implement ANSI's Essential Requirements for creation of American National Standards for boating education.
Jeff Wheeler, newly appointed Chair of the Education Standards Panel, arrived at Boat Forces in 2000 while still on active duty, assuming the role of Manager, Boat Crew Training and Doctrine. Wheeler retired from active duty in 2003 and continued to serve the Office of Boat Forces in a civilian capacity. In 2008, Wheeler assumed the Deputy Chief position in which he is responsible for assisting the office Chief in the direct supervision, management and strategic development of the Boat Forces program. Wheeler is the recipient of a 2010 Nextgov Award. Wheeler won the award for his work with NASBLA in the creation of NASBLA’s Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program.
Additional members of the 2019 - 2020 Education Standards Panel include, Amanda Perez (Commercial) and Joe McCullough (State) who have been reappointed for a second term. Newly appointed members serving their first term include Walt Taylor (Federal), Edward Cossette (Commercial), Carolyn Belmore (Non-government organization) and Gordon Boivin (Public). The full Education Standards Panel consists of 3 Commercial Members, 3 Federal Members, 2 Non-Profit Members, 3 Public Members and 4 State Members. For a full list of panel members,
click here.
Applications are accepted year-round for those who wish to be considered for ESP membership.
Click here for more information on the Education Standards Panel or to learn more about
panel membership.