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NASBLA Names Regional Winners of the 2026 Educator of the Year Award

By Garrison Toy posted 5 days ago
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NASBLA Names Regional Winners of the 2026 Educator of the Year Award LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 17, 2026) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has named the regional recipients of the 2026 Pamela S. Dillon Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises Inc . The annual award recognizes boating safety professionals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to recreational boating safety through education, outreach and public engagement. The 2026 regional recipients are: Northern Region: Gwendolynn “Wendy” Flynn, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Boating Division ...
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Josh Hoffman Honored as NASBLA 2026 Western Region Educator of the Year

By Garrison Toy posted 5 days ago
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Josh Hoffman Honored as NASBLA 2026 Western Region Educator of the Year The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has recognized Josh Hoffman of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) as the 2026 Western Region Educator of the Year for his leadership in expanding boating safety education and public outreach initiatives across Arizona. For more than a decade, Hoffman has served in Arizona’s Boating Safety Education Program, helping expand boating education opportunities statewide while strengthening partnerships that support safe and responsible outdoor recreation. Hoffman has been instrumental in developing ...
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NASBLA Names Louisiana’s Sgt. John Miller 2026 Southern Region Educator of the Year

By Garrison Toy posted 5 days ago
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NASBLA Names Louisiana’s Sgt. John Miller 2026 Southern Region Educator of the Year Sgt. John Miller of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has been named the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) 2026 Southern Region Educator of the Year for his longstanding commitment to boating safety education and public outreach across Louisiana. Miller’s impact was perhaps best demonstrated during an emergency incident at Bussy Brake Wildlife Management Area in August 2025. After an elderly boater suffered multiple wasp stings and injuries from a fall aboard his vessel, the man’s 10-year-old grandson ...
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Connecticut’s Gwendolynn Flynn Named NASBLA 2026 Northern Region Educator of the Year

By Garrison Toy posted 5 days ago
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Connecticut’s Gwendolynn Flynn Named NASBLA 2026 Northern Region Educator of the Year The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has named Gwendolynn “Wendy” Flynn of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Boating Division the 2026 Northern Region Educator of the Year. This award recognizes Flynn’s longstanding commitment to boating safety education, public outreach and environmental stewardship throughout Connecticut. Since joining Connecticut’s Boating Division in 2005, Flynn has played a key role in strengthening the state’s boating education and outreach efforts. Her work ...
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NASBLA Names Regional Winners of the 2026 Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award

By Garrison Toy posted 5 days ago
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NASBLA Names Regional Winners of the 2026 Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 17, 2026) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has named the regional recipients of the 2026 Marvin “Butch” Potts Memorial Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award . The annual award recognizes boating law enforcement professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication to advancing recreational boating safety and strengthening enforcement efforts on the nation’s waterways. The 2026 regional recipients are: Northern Region: Conservation ...
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2026 NASBLA Western Region Boating Officer of the Year Award Presented to Sgt. Travis Vessells

By Garrison Toy posted 6 days ago
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2026 NASBLA Western Region Boating Officer of the Year Award Presented to Sgt. Travis Vessells The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) recognizes Sgt. Travis Vessells of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marine Enforcement Unit as the 2026 Western Region Boating Officer of the Year for his contributions to impaired boating enforcement, marine patrol operations and the advancement of recreational boating safety throughout the West. In 2025, Vessells served as president of the California Boating Safety Officers Association while also leading the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Marine Enforcement ...
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Georgia Game Warden Adam Kimbrough Named 2026 NASBLA Southern Region Officer of the Year

By Garrison Toy posted 6 days ago
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Georgia Game Warden Adam Kimbrough Named 2026 NASBLA Southern Region Officer of the Year The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) names Game Warden First Class Adam Kimbrough of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division the 2026 Southern Region Officer of the Year for his commitment to advancing boating safety, impaired boating enforcement and boater awareness efforts across Georgia’s waterways. Assigned to Lake Lanier — one of the most heavily visited federal lakes in the United States, drawing approximately 8 million visitors annually — Kimbrough is known for his professionalism, initiative ...
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NASBLA Recognizes Minnesota’s Shawn Wichmann as 2026 Northern Region Officer of the Year

By Garrison Toy posted 6 days ago
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NASBLA Recognizes Minnesota’s Shawn Wichmann as 2026 Northern Region Officer of the Year The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) names Conservation Officer Shawn Wichmann of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) the 2026 Northern Region Officer of the Year for his leadership in boating safety enforcement, impaired boating prevention and public outreach across southwest Minnesota. Since joining the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2012, Wichmann has built a reputation for proactive enforcement, strong community engagement and a commitment to keeping Minnesota waterways safe. He currently ...
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Keeping Guam Waters Safe During Operation Dry Water

By Taylor Kirshe posted 11 days ago
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June 11, 2026: As the sun rises over the Pacific, the Guam Police Department (GPD) stands ready, literally at the forefront of a national movement. While the rest of the United States remains tucked away in the evening hours of the previous day, Guam’s unique position across the International Date Line means its officers are the first in the nation to kick off the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Operation Dry Water (ODW) campaign. Guam is officially represented within NASBLA through the GPD Recreational Boating Safety Program. Guam also has a designated Boating Law Administrator who works with NASBLA on boating ...
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Maryland Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 04-21-2026
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Maryland Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to welcome Major Catherine Medellin as Maryland’s new Boating Law Administrator (BLA). Maj. Medellin brings more than 28 years of service with the Maryland Natural Resources Police and currently serves as commander of the Community Partnerships and Employee Development Bureau. In this role, she oversees statewide community training, recruitment and outreach initiatives, helping to strengthen trust between law enforcement and the public. Her command includes oversight of the agency’s boater education program, which ...
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NASBLA Mourns the Passing of Christopher Stec, Champion of Boating Safety

By Taylor Kirshe posted 04-15-2026
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NASBLA Mourns the Passing of Christopher Stec, Champion of Boating Safety Christopher Stec (Feb. 19, 1976 – April 4, 2026), of Virginia, passed away at the age of 50. He lived a life defined by service, leadership and an unwavering commitment to boating and water safety. From his roots in south Louisiana to his work in North Carolina and Virginia, Chris built a legacy centered on education, safety and community. He served as director of auxiliary programs at Fredericksburg Academy and was a longtime leader within the American Canoe Association, where he inspired countless individuals through his passion for paddlesports and outdoor learning. His influence ...
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A New Era of Accountability on Connecticut’s Roads and Waterways

By Taylor Kirshe posted 03-19-2026
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March 19, 2026: In 2025, the Connecticut Legislature took a significant step to strengthen public safety by passing Public Act 25-159 . The legislation includes provisions designed to close a long-standing gap between roadway and waterway enforcement. It recognizes a simple but powerful reality: operating under the influence — whether behind the wheel of a car or at the helm of a boat — poses the same serious risks to the public. Under the new law, effective Oct. 1, 2025, the state now requires reciprocal operating suspensions for individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or boating under the influence (BUI). This means a suspension ...
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NASBLA and NDAA Collaborate to Strengthen BUI Prosecution

By Garrison Toy posted 03-11-2026
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Boating under the influence (BUI) enforcement is more than a legal obligation — it is a lifesaving mission. Prosecutors and law enforcement officers serve a vital role in upholding boating safety laws aimed at preventing loss of life, injury and property damage. By approaching BUI cases with the same diligence applied to DUI offenses, you help deter dangerous behavior, influence public perception and safeguard families from the tragic consequences of impaired boating. To support this effort, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) partnered to deliver a series of in-person ...
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NASBLA Welcomes Phoebe Wallace as New Education Director

By Garrison Toy posted 03-04-2026
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NASBLA Welcomes Phoebe Wallace as New Education Director After a rigorous benchmarking, application and hiring process, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has selected Phoebe Wallace as its new Education Director. Wallace will assume the role beginning March 9, 2026. Wallace brings a diverse background in on-water operations, public service and boating safety leadership. She grew up in Boise, Idaho, where she spent much of her time enjoying the region’s inland reservoirs, rivers and high mountain lakes. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Boise, she moved to Maui, Hawaiʻi, where she worked as a deckhand ...
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The United States Coast Guard launches the 2026 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey

By Taylor Kirshe posted 03-03-2026
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The United States Coast Guard launches the 2026 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey The survey is the only source for recreational boating data in all 50 states and informs about safety and security on the water. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is launching the 2026 National Recreational Boating Safety Survey (NRBSS), which will provide detailed estimates in every state of how many people go boating, what types of boats they use, and how often they go boating. This survey is funded under a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered by the USCG. The survey supports national safety and law enforcement ...
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NASBLA and IAMI Announce Basic Boating Incident and Marine Arson Investigations Training

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-17-2026
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NASBLA and IAMI Announce Basic Boating Incident and Marine Arson Investigations Training The International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) , in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) , will host a specialized two-day training program, Basic Boating Incident Investigations and Basic Marine Arson Investigations , April 22–23, 2026, at the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Center. The training will cover: Basic Boating Incident Investigations Introduction to the principles and procedures of boating incident investigations Techniques for evidence collection and data ...
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Alabama Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-17-2026
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Alabama Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) welcomes Captain Drew Brooks as the new boating law administrator (BLA) for the state of Alabama. Captain Brooks is a seasoned law enforcement professional with a distinguished career in the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). He began his law enforcement career in 2002 as a patrol officer with the Montgomery Police Department, rising to the rank of corporal and demonstrating a strong commitment to public safety and professional excellence. He later served as a sheriff’s deputy with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office before joining ...
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North Carolina Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-10-2026
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North Carolina Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is excited to welcome Major Branden Jones as North Carolina's new Boating Law Administrator (BLA). Branden Jones serves as major of support services and boating law administrator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). He began his career with the agency in April 2010 after completing the NCWRC Basic Academy. Jones first served as a wildlife enforcement officer in northeastern North Carolina, covering the Outer Banks for two years. During his tenure as a wildlife officer, he worked in a variety of assignments, ...
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NASBLA BOAT Program Honors David Guthrie as 2025 Instructor of the Year

By Garrison Toy posted 01-14-2026
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The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has named David Guthrie the 2025 BOAT Program Instructor of the Year, recognizing his outstanding leadership, instructional excellence, and lasting impact on the Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program . The Instructor of the Year award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing maritime safety, professionalism, and operational readiness through high-quality instruction and mentorship. Among a nationwide cadre of experienced instructors, Guthrie distinguished himself through his consistent leadership, operational expertise, and dedication to developing ...
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NASBLA BOAT Program Hosts Annual Instructor Development Workshop in Clearwater Beach

By Garrison Toy posted 01-07-2026
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The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program successfully hosted its annual Instructor Development Workshop Dec. 16–17, 2025, in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The event brought together more than 60 credentialed NASBLA instructors, along with representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, industry partners, and sponsors. The two-day workshop featured a comprehensive agenda covering program updates, strategies for fostering classroom credibility, collaborative training techniques, insights from industry partners, and adult learning engagement strategies. U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jason Aleksak ...
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