New Jersey Boating Law Administrator Elected NASBLA Chair
The
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Executive Board has elected Lieutenant
Christopher Jones, Boating Law Administrator for New Jersey, as chair of the organization for the 2025-2026 year. His election took place Sept. 30, 2025, during the first meeting of the NASBLA Executive Board following the association’s annual conference, in accordance with the bylaws. Jones succeeds Joe McCullough, Boating Law Administrator for Alaska. NASBLA is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all states and the U.S. territories.
Jones graduated from the 137th New Jersey State Police Recruit Class in 2004 and was initially assigned to various stations within the Field Operations Section, Troop “A.” In 2007, he was selected for the Marine Services Bureau (MSB) within the Special Operations Section, where he served at marine stations in Atlantic City, Burlington, and Bivalve.
Promoted to sergeant in 2013, Jones transferred to MSB Headquarters in Trenton. There, he played a key role in securing NASBLA BOAT Program Accreditation for the New Jersey State Police, acted as liaison for the New Jersey Boat Regulation Commission, managed the New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate Program, and conducted the NJSP Basic Marine Law Enforcement Course. He also served as the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Coordinator and contributed to NASBLA’s Enforcement & Training Committee for several years. Jones is a certified NASBLA BOAT Program instructor, teaching multiple disciplines from the national training catalog.
After his promotion to sergeant first class, Jones became assistant station commander of the Burlington and Bivalve Marine Stations, coordinating New Jersey’s marine assets in support of large-scale maritime operations and special events. In 2022, he was appointed New Jersey’s Boating Law Administrator, representing the state within NASBLA and serving as its voice on boating safety matters. He graduated from the NASBLA Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Leadership Academy in 2022 and was elected to the NASBLA Executive Board in 2024.
Other members of the board serving with Chris Jones include:
- Vice Chair – Matt Majors, Tennessee
- Treasurer – Danny Rodriguez, Arizona
- Board Member – Joe McCullough, Alaska
- Board Member – Jason Russo, Louisiana
- Board Member – Stacey Brown, Virginia
- Board Member – David Trader, West Virginia
As chair, Jones will lead the Executive Board in advancing NASBLA’s mission to foster partnerships among state, federal, and nonprofit organizations; develop model laws, policies, and standards; and support training, education, and enforcement efforts that promote safe boating and save lives nationwide.