Blogs

A Message from NASBLA CEO

By Hannah Helsby posted 3 days ago
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Over the last two weeks, NASBLA has undertaken a number of measures in response to the public health concerns related to the spread of the coronavirus. Through June 30, NASBLA and its affiliated organizations have cancelled or postponed all in-person meetings, conferences, workshops and training events, as well as suspending all nonessential staff travel. The Boat Operation and Training (BOAT) program is currently working with all customers and agency hosts to individually assess training needs and respond appropriately under current recommendations and restrictions.   In addition to curtailing travel and business meetings, NASBLA staff have been directed ...
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Illinois names new Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Matsko posted 9 days ago
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Illinois names new Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) welcomes Lieutenant Curt Lewis, the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the state of Illinois. Lt. Lewis began his career with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Conservation Police in early 2000 . He started off by serving as a field officer in the Northwestern part of Illinois. In 2004, he was promoted to Sergeant over the Northwestern District.  In 2010, Lt. Lewis transferred to the Springfield area to work as the District Sergeant for the central Illinois District. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012 and was placed ...
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NASBLA Responds to COVID-19 Concerns

By Hannah Helsby posted 11 days ago
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To our NASBLA Community, The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is working to do our part to mitigate the spread and risks associated with COVID-19 to our staff, members and volunteers. Effective Monday, March 16 th NASBLA initiated a response plan that will be in place until May 30 th . In following public health and government recommendations, NASBLA has suspended all non-essential travel and gatherings. While we are disappointed that we have had to postpone or cancel in person events and work sessions, NASBLA is dedicated to creating alternative opportunities for this collaboration and learning to take place. NASBLA is currently ...
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NASBLA BOAT Program Recognizes Instructor of the Year

By Taylor Matsko posted 13 days ago
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NASBLA BOAT Program Recognizes Instructor of the Year 2019 Instructor of the Year Award The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators recognizes the 2019 BOAT Program Instructor of the Year for his exceptional performance of duties and responsibilities within the  NASBLA Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program . The Instructor of the Year Award was presented to Patrick "Mike" Neal at the BOAT Program Instructor Development Workshop in Lexington, Kentucky.  In addition to his success as a Wisconsin Game Warden, Mike Neal has been instrumental in the growth and success of NASBLA’s Boat Accident Investigation (BAI) Course program. ...
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Mantel presented with NASBLA Award

By Taylor Matsko posted 18 days ago
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Mantel presented with NASBLA Award Caroline Mantel, from BoatHistoryReport.com and Vice Chair of NASBLA's  Vessel Identification, Registration & Titling (VIRT) Committee , was awarded the prestigious NASBLA Award during the  2020 NASBLA State RBS Workshop  in Lexington, Kentucky. The NASBLA Award is given in appreciation to an individual who has either given a lot of time and effort to the association to help achieve its objectives or who is acknowledged nationally, statewide or in their community for notable contributions to the betterment of boating.  Mantel has dedicated countless hours to the VIRT Committee and its various charges. ...
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Jackson recognized at State RBS Workshop

By Taylor Matsko posted 26 days ago
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Jackson recognized at State RBS Workshop At the   State RBS Workshop , Kim Jackson, Arizona Game and Fish Department , was recognized for completion of six years as an appointed State Agency Member of the National Boating Education Standards Panel (ESP). Recognized by NASBLA Chair, Cody Jones, ESP Panel Chair, Jeff Wheeler, and others, Jackson completed two terms of service on the panel from 2014 through 2019.  NASBLA is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Development (ASD) achieved in 2014 during Jackson’s first year as an appointed member of the Panel. Since being accredited, ESP has completed four ANSI recognized ...
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North Dakota names new Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Matsko posted 30 days ago
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North Dakota names Jackie Lundstrom new Boating Law Administrator NASBLA welcomes Jackie Lundstrom, the new Boating Law Administrator for the North Dakota Game & Fish Department . Lundstrom graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology – Wildlife Management in 1994. She was hired by the ND Game and Fish Department in January of 1995. During this time, Lundstrom served as a District Game Warden until October, 2015. In 2015, Lundstrom took over as the Enforcement Operations Supervisor. Over the course of Lundstrom's career, she participated in numerous NASBLA conferences and has attended NASBLA BOAT Program courses, ...
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The United States Power Squadron’s ‘Hands-on Training: Basic Powerboat’ course receives recognition for its Third-Party Verification

By Taylor Matsko posted 02-18-2020
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The United States Power Squadron’s ‘Hands-on Training: Basic Powerboat’  course receives recognition for its Third-Party Verification The United States Power Squadrons, “Hands-on Training: Basic Powerboat,” is being recognized for meeting the American National Standard for On-Water Recreational Boating, EDU-1 Power standard. The organization's on-water powerboating course has been awarded the Verified Course Power Mark as an indicator of this achievement. Recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as American National Standards, the On-Water Power, On-Water Sailing, and On-Water Human-Propelled standards identify fundamental skills ...
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New Recommendations for Improving Boat Occupant Injury Surveillance

By Hannah Helsby posted 01-08-2020
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Just Released: New Recommendations for Improving Boat Occupant Injury Surveillance Public health and boating experts issue recommendations for improving data to prevent injuries New recommendations on improving recreational boat occupant injury surveillance were jointly released today by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Safe States Alliance , in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard . Public health surveillance – the continuous and systematic collection and analysis of health-related data – is essential to understand and prevent injuries before they occur. However,previous data reports released by ...
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Pamela Dillon, NASBLA, retires after more than 40 years in recreational boating safety

By Hannah Helsby posted 01-08-2020
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The  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) would like to recognize Pamela S. Dillon for the hard work, dedication and service she has given to NASBLA, the States and the recreational boating safety community as whole as we also announce her formal retirement as of Dec. 31, 2019. Dillon has served as the Education and Standards Director for NASBLA since October 2011, in this position she led NASBLA’s education efforts with monumental results. With all she accomplished in her time with NASBLA, it is just the tip of the iceberg in what she has accomplished over a lifetime of vocation and service in the recreational boating community. ...
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Sunglow Charters recognized for receiving Third-Party Verification

By Hannah Helsby posted 12-17-2019
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Sunglow Charters recognized for receiving  Third-Party Verification for two courses, Sailing and Power Sunglow Charters is being recognized for meeting the American National Standard for  On-Water Recreational Boating Skills Standard for both SAIL and POWER with their  Sunglow Charters Sailing Lesson Plan and their  Sunglow Charters Power Lesson Plan. The organization's on-water sailboat and powerboating course has been verified to meet the American National Standard for on-water skills entitled EDU-3 Skill-Based Sailboat Standard and  EDU-1 On-Water Power Standards respectively,  and has received the ...
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Newport Coast Maritime Academy’s ‘Basic & Inshore Powerboat Cruising’ course receives recognition for its Third-Party Verification

By Taylor Matsko posted 12-10-2019
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Newport Coast Maritime Academy’s ‘ Basic & Inshore Powerboat Cruising’ course receives recognition for its Third-Party Verification Newport Coast Maritime Academy is being recognized for meeting the American National Standard for  On-Water Recreational Boating Skills Standard – POWER.  The organization's on-water powerboating course, “ Basic & Inshore Powerboat Cruising ,” has been verified to meet the American National Standard for on-water skills entitled EDU-1 On-Water Power Standards  and has received the Verified Course Power Mark.  Under funding provided by a USCG grant, the  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators ...
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Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft’s Introduction to SUP – Instructor Course is the Third Verified Course for the Organization

By Taylor Matsko posted 12-02-2019
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Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft’s Introduction to SUP – Instructor Course is the Third Verified Course for the Organization Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft is being recognized for meeting the American National Standard for  on-water skills.   The Introduction to SUP – Instructor Course is the organization’s third course to meet the American National Standard entitled  EDU-2 Skill-Based Human-Propelled Standard. Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft is the first organization to have three skills courses independently Verified under this program. Under funding provided by a USCG grant, the  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators  implemented a ...
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Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft’s Introduction to Kayaking – Instructor Course receives recognition for its Third-Party Verified Course

By Taylor Matsko posted 11-26-2019
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Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft’s Introduction to Kayaking – Instructor Course receives recognition for its Third-Party Verified Course Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft is being recognized for meeting the American National Standard for  On-Water Recreational Boating Skills Standard – HUMAN-PROPELLED.  The Ohio DNR, Division of Parks and Watercraft, work to be a diverse and skilled team empowered to deliver the highest standard of outdoor recreation experiences and natural resource management. The organization's on-water kayaking course, “ Introduction to Kayaking – Instructor Course ,” has been verified to meet the American National Standard for on-water ...
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Award Winners Recognized at the 2019 NASBLA Annual Conference

By Taylor Matsko posted 11-12-2019
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Award Winners Recognized at the 2019 NASBLA Annual Conference The 60 th Annual NASBLA Conference was held in Anchorage, Alaska from Sept. 29 - Oct. 2. During the awards ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 1, NASBLA presented their annual 19 national awards, recognizing NASBLA members and colleagues in the recreational boating safety community for their outstanding contributions.   President’s Award At the end of his/her term, the NASBLA President selects individuals to honor with special recognition for their contributions during the past year to boating safety and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. This year, NASBLA President, ...
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NASBLA BOAT Program Celebrates 10 Years Preparing First Responders

By Taylor Matsko posted 11-04-2019
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2019 NASBLA BOAT Program Celebrates 10 Years Preparing First Responders   [LEXINGTON, KY] – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. NASBLA recognized in the early 2000s that there was a need for a national training standard amongst all law enforcement and emergency first responders. In response, after significant research, preparation and collaboration with the U. S. Coast Guard, Office of Boat Forces, the NASBLA BOAT Program was officially unveiled in 2009. The program addressed an urgent need which ...
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Operation Dry Water Award Winners Recognized at the 60th Annual NASBLA Conference

By Taylor Matsko posted 10-30-2019
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Operation Dry Water Award Winners Recognized at the 60 th Annual NASBLA Conference The Operation Dry Water Awards Program recognizes law enforcement officers and agencies that are making a positive impact on boating under the influence (BUI). This year, the 2019 Operation Dry Water (ODW) award winners were recognized at the NASBLA Annual Conference held in Anchorage, Alaska. The awards ceremony took place on Tuesday, October 1 st , where the ODW Officer of the Year, Top Agencies and Media Award winners were honored for their hard work and dedication to boating under the influence prevention and the Operation Dry Water campaign. The 2019 Operation Dry ...
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Texas BLA elected NASBLA Chairman

By Hannah Helsby posted 10-07-2019
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LEXINGTON, KY. (October 1, 2019) – During its 60th annual meeting, held in Anchorage, Alaska, Sept. 29 – Oct.2, 2019, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) elected Asst. Commander Game Warden Cody Jones, Boating Law Administrator for Texas, as Chairman of the nonprofit organization for the 2019-2020 year. He succeeds Mark Brown, Oklahoma’s Boating Law Administrator. 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 50 states and the U.S. territories. Asst. Commander Jones is a 16-year veteran ...
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Wisconsin Officers receive NASBLA Award of Commendation for actions

By Hannah Helsby posted 10-02-2019
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NASBLA and the Wisconsin Department of Natural resources recognizes  Conservation Warden Kyle Johnson, Rock County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Krahn, Wisconsin State Trooper Brandon Ferrell and Conservation Warden Alex Brooks for their life saving actions  with the NASBLA Award of Commendation. The Award of Commendation is given in cases where the individuals were considered instrumental in directly contributing to the saving of a human life or lives.  Wisconsin State Trooper Brandon Ferrell & Conservation Warden Alex Brooks Conservation Warden Kyle Johnson & Rock County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Krahn ...
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Basic Boating Knowledge Standards - Public Review Periods Open Through December 5, 2019

By Taylor Matsko posted 09-10-2019
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Basic Boating Knowledge Standards - Public Review Periods Open Through December 5, 2019 The National Boating Education Standards Panel announces opening of Public Review Comment Periods for five standards. Proposed changes reflect revisions to the previous approach of stand-alone Basic Boating Knowledge standards. In the proposed “Core-Plus” approach, the “Plus” standard is designed to be used in conjunction with the “Core” standard. Future changes in the “Core” will, by definition, be incorporated into any “Plus” standard should this system be adopted as proposed. These five documents are open for review and comment. Comments are being collected on the ...
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