Over 1,100 first responders trained in 2020 by NASBLA BOAT Program
As the end of 2020 quickly approaches, the NASBLA Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program reflects on some of the challenges and successes of this difficult year. Considering the obstacles associated with course delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BOAT Program worked tirelessly to reschedule and deliver safe and effective courses to its students. The goal of the BOAT Program remained the same – to deliver a national standard of training, qualification, credentialing and typing to marine law enforcement and emergency first responders.
In March, the BOAT Program decided to postpone 32 courses because of the restrictions and health concerns related to COVID-19, and to ensure the safety of all of the instructors and first responders. During this time NASBLA analyzed the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations and guidance for law enforcement, public safety agencies and health workers to formulate an "Instructor Health Guidance Policy". This policy is still in effect and is the minimum requirement for any NASBLA course delivery.
Because of this stringent policy and the extra efforts of the instructors, the BOAT Program was able to again begin training first responders on June 1, 2020. Since then the BOAT Program has conducted 28 Direct Delivery courses, five Grant Delivery courses, 38 Indirect Delivery courses through accredited agencies, and seven Indirect Delivery courses through the U.S. Coast Guard. From these 78 courses, 1,179 students were trained to the national standard over the course of this year.
As the BOAT Program looks ahead to 2021, 27 courses that were postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 are now rescheduled and will be delivered in the spring. Additionally, agencies continue to reach out to the BOAT Program to schedule new courses as many states have identified first responder training as an essential activity.
The NASBLA BOAT Program is proud of our instructors, accredited agencies, partners and sponsors and all the work that was done to continue to deliver vital training to our nation’s marine law enforcement and emergency first responders, even in the face of so many obstacles this year.
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The Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program establishes a U.S. Coast Guard recognized national standard for the training, qualification, credentialing and typing of marine law enforcement and emergency first responders. Adoption and implementation of the program provides a true national standard for maritime interoperability at all government levels. Standardization ensures maritime agencies can interact together and will bolster their ability to act as force multipliers nationwide.