NASBLA Announces New American National Standard for Investigative Training for Boating Incidents
The
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is proud to announce the publication of a new American National Standard, ANSI/NASBLA 500-2025: Investigative Training for Boating Incidents. Effective March 1, 2025, this standard aims to enhance the quality, availability, and consistency of training for recreational boating incident investigators across the United States.
Developed through a collaborative effort involving federal and state government representatives, industry experts, nonprofit organizations, and public sector stakeholders, this standard provides comprehensive guidelines for the design and implementation of investigative training curricula. The standard covers a wide range of topics, including vessel systems, electric shock drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, fire and explosion investigations, vessel stability, and human factors in boating incidents.
The new standard emphasizes the importance of a systematic and chronological approach to investigating boating incidents. It outlines detailed procedures for securing and protecting the scene, conducting interviews, collecting and preserving evidence, and preparing investigative reports. Additionally, it provides guidance on diagramming collision sequences, measuring damage, and analyzing evidence to determine the causes and contributing factors of boating incidents.
One of the key features of ANSI/NASBLA 500-2025 is its focus on human factors, recognizing the critical role that operator behavior and decision-making play in boating incidents. The standard highlights the importance of understanding operator distractions, perception and response times, and the impact of environmental conditions on vessel operation.
The publication of this standard marks a significant milestone in the field of recreational boating safety. By providing a common framework for investigative training, NASBLA aims to improve the overall effectiveness of boating incident investigations, ultimately contributing to safer waterways for all.