Blogs

Texas BLA elected NASBLA Chairman

By Hannah Helsby posted 13 days ago
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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 18 days ago
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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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2019 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-29-2019
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2019 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 29, 2019) –  The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the  Boating Educator of the Year Award . Generously sponsored by  Fresh Air Educators , and  Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc. ,  the Boating Educator of the Year Award was launched by NASBLA in 2011 to recognize those who go above to engage students and boaters, raise awareness, and make boating education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting. As a member of NASBLA, every state and territory is eligible to nominate their state‐level boating educator ...
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2019 Western Region Educator of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-26-2019
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2019 Western Region Educator of the Year Award Winner       Lieutenant Jesse Gehrt, of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has been named the 2019 Western Region Educator of the Year . Lt. Jesse Gehrt began his career with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism in 2005. In 2015, Gehrt was selected for one of the Boating Specialist positions in the northeastern portion of the state and in 2017 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. For several years, Gehrt’s assigned duty area included Milford Reservoir, the largest federal reservoir in Kansas, encompassing 15,700 surface acres of water and 163 miles ...
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2019 Southern Region Educator of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-26-2019
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2019 Southern Region Educator of the Year Award Winner Dana Gage, of The LV Project , has been named the Southern Region Educator of the Year for 2019 . In the aftermath of her son’s preventable and tragic death by drowning, Dana Gage made it her mission to change the way people think about water safety. Gage, using her professional media experience, founded The LV Project. The LV Project relentlessly pursues the idea that all people can LiVe and LoVe buoyantly - on water, and in life. Through their water buoyancy projects, The LV Project raises awareness for drowning prevention and specifically advocates for use of life jackets on lakes. Gage has ...
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2019 Northern Region Educator of the Year Award Winners

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-26-2019
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2019 Northern Region Educator of the Year Award Winners Thomas and Elizabeth Scott, of the  Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection , have been named the  2019 Northern Region Educators of the Year . Thomas (“Tom”) and Elizabeth (“Betty”) Scott began their journey as safe boating instructors in 2002 so that they could help their Boy Scout troop obtain a powerboating merit badge. For the last 17 years, they have worked as a team conducting Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) safe boating courses and public outreach. Together, they have provided over 300 hours of knowledgeable safe boating instruction ...
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NASBLA Announces Regional Boating Officers of the Year

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-24-2019
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NASBLA Announces Regional Boating Officers of the Year LEXINGTON, Ky . ( July 24, 2019) -  The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award . This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers throughout the United States. The selection process for this award began in January with NASBLA soliciting nominations from each state and territory to nominate their boating law enforcement officer of the year. Next, each regional association of boating law administrators chose ...
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2019 Western Region Officer of the Year Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-23-2019
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2019 Western Region Officer of the Year Winner Corporal Daren Krag, of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office , has been named the 2019 Western Region Officer of the Year . The Oregon State Marine Board has high standards for education through law enforcement. Over the years, some marine deputies choose to go above the rest to ensure Oregon’s waterways are safe. Cpl. Krag is one of these deputies, leaving a permanent footprint behind and setting an example of why law enforcement is essential to the safety of boaters on the water. Under Cpl. Krag’s leadership, his team has conducted over 72 hours of classroom instruction in local schools and safety ...
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2019 Southern Region Officer of the Year Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-23-2019
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2019 Southern Region Officer of the Year Winner Corporal Lyndle Crownover, of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission , has been named the Southern Region Officer of the Year for 2019 . Cpl. Crownover has been in law enforcement for 27 years, spending 14 of these years as a Wildlife Officer. Since he began working for Arkansas Game and Fish, Cpl. Crownover has arrested 128 suspects for BUI, averaging just over 9 BUIs per year. He works with local Wildlife Officers, Corps of Engineers, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Department, and other agencies to plan law enforcement patrols on area lakes and rivers, placing a high priority on BUI enforcement. Cpl. ...
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2019 Northern Region Officer of the Year Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 07-23-2019
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2019 Northern Region Officer of the Year Winner Conservation Warden Paul Sickman, of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources , has been named the 2019 Northern Region Officer of the Year . Conservation Warden Sickman is an example of a well-rounded officer who effectively balances enforcement, education and community involvement. However, Sickman’s primary concern is ensuring that all boaters have a safe and enjoyable recreational boating experience while on the water. Sickman coordinates the Lower St. Croix River law enforcement meetings in an effort to facilitate collaboration and coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies. During ...
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Operation Dry Water Warns Boaters Not to Boat Impaired

By Hannah Helsby posted 06-21-2019
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LEXINGTON, Ky. -  June 20, 2019 Over the July 4th holiday weekend, law enforcement agencies and officers across the United States will be conducting   Operation Dry Water   and will be on heightened alert for those in violation of boating under the influence laws. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign focused on boating under the influence awareness, prevention and enforcement. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths, and a leading factor in recreational boating accidents.* Law enforcement agencies from all 56 U.S. states and territories are expected to participate in Operation Dry Water. These ...
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Ohio Canoeing – Instructor Course receives Third-Party Verified Course recognition

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-19-2019
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Ohio DNR Parks and Watercraft’s Introduction to Canoeing – 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. Under funding provided by a USCG grant, the  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators  has implemented a process of  voluntary third-party conformity ...
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Rhode Island names new Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-05-2019
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Chief Dean Hoxsie Announced as new Boating Law Administrator, Rhode Island NASBLA would like to welcome Chief Dean Hoxsie, the new Boating Law Administrator for the state of Rhode Island. After 32 years Chief Hoxsie retired from the Narragansett Police Department and spent the last 5 and a half of those years as the Department's Chief. During Chief Hoxsie's time at the Department, he served as the head of the Marine Patrol and also was the Harbor Master for just over a year.  At the beginning of 2016, Chief Hoxsie joined the Rhode Island Environmental Police as the Chief of the Division. During this time, Chief Hoxsie worked with the previous BLA of Rhode ...
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NASBLA Education Director Announced

By Hannah Helsby posted 06-05-2019
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NASBLA is pleased to announce the hiring of the Association's next Education Director. NASBLA's current Education & Standards Director, Pam Dillon, CAE, will retire in late 2019. After a rigorous benchmarking, application and hiring process, Mark Chanski was selected to join NASBLA for this transition. Mark Chanski joined NASBLA on June 1 and will assume the full role of Education Director following the NASBLA Annual Conference.  Mark comes to NASBLA from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection where he was employed for the last 12 years. He has been an active member of NASBLA’s Education and Outreach Committee, a participant ...
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New South Carolina BLA

By Hannah Helsby posted 05-28-2019
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Colonel Chisolm Frampton Announced as new Boating Law Administrator, South Carolina Colonel Frampton is a veteran state wildlife law enforcement officer and is the leader of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. Frampton, a Charleston native, replaced Col. Alvin Taylor as deputy director of the DNR Law Enforcement Division.  A graduate of College of Charleston, Frampton also graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy. In 1993, Frampton joined DNR as a private first class. He has served as a sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and more recently as major. Colonel Frampton also served four years on the Executive Protection ...
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Boaters nationwide prepare for boating season, Spring Aboard campaign

By Hannah Helsby posted 05-17-2019
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2019 Boaters nationwide prepare ahead of boating season as part of national Spring Aboard campaign   [LEXINGTON, KY] – Thanks to the support and participation of boating education course providers on the local, state and national level, hundreds of boaters received boating safety education during the 2019 Spring Aboard – Take A Boating Education Course campaign ! Boating safety advocates and campaign partners helped reach boaters across the country in an effort to promote boater education and encourage new and seasoned boaters to get ready for boating season by completing a boating safety course. Many agencies ...
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Operation Dry Water releases Summer Boating Safety Tips

By Hannah Helsby posted 05-17-2019
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The  Summer Boating Safety Tips   are now available. These boating safety tips remind boaters what they need before they hit the water and what to be prepared for while out on the water.  Some of the safety tips focus on never boating under the influence, utilizing an engine cut-off device, taking a boating education course and the importance of wearing everyone on board wearing a life jacket. For more information on these  Summer Boating Safety Tips , check out the full document. Share these messages with your community by utilizing these  sample social media posts .  Full Document PDF READ
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NASBLA CEO Joins NDPA Advisory Council

By Hannah Helsby posted 04-30-2019
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NASBLA CEO Joins National Drowning Prevention Alliance Advisory Council Lexington, KY (Apr. 30, 2019) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is honored to announce that NASBLA Chief Executive Officer, John M. Johnson, has been named as a member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) Advisory Council. “NASBLA is dedicated to achieving a culture of safety in recreational boating through our members , community and partnerships,” says John Johnson, NASBLA CEO. “What NASBLA does to prevent accidents, injuries and deaths related to recreational boating is inextricably intertwined into the scope of water safety. ...
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Be a part of NASBLA 2019

By Hannah Helsby posted 04-10-2019
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2019 NASBLA Annual Conference Call for Session Proposals | Deadline April 30th NASBLA is currently accepting session proposals for the 2019 NASBLA Annual Conference. This year's conference will take place Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 in Anchorage, Alaska. NASBLA is looking for your best session ideas and for you to be a part of this year's annual conference. Meeting attendees are looking for advanced-level content. We're looking for presentations addressing any and all areas of recreational boating safety. Help our knowledgeable and experienced audience explore new ways to tackle issues and learn about innovative solution and resources. Topics should be designed ...
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