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Between the Waves Podcast - Quick Note on HR 3409, USCG Reauthorization Act of 2020

By Taylor Matsko posted 3 days ago
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Between the Waves Podcast Quick Note on HR 3409, USCG Reauthorization Act of 2020, Episode 12 *This is a transcript of the "HR 3409 USCG Reauthorization Act of 2020" episode of NASBLA's Podcast, Between the Waves, from August 3, 2020.  While we don't often track federal legislation on a regular basis. I thought it would be important for you to hear about some recent action that may be important to each of us. This is Between the Waves, an audio series to discuss the topics important to today’s water safety professional. Here’s your host from the great state of Texas, Cody Jones. The U.S. House of Representatives, just passed the Elijah E. Cummings, ...
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NASBLA BOAT Program Receives Letter of Appreciation

By Taylor Matsko posted 3 days ago
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NASBLA BOAT Program Receives Letter of Appreciation The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)   Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program   delivered a five-day   Tactical Operators Course   in Hampton, Virginia, hosted by the Virginia Port Authority, from July 27 - 31, 2020. This course is designed to enhance the capabilities of students with the knowledge and skills necessary to appropriately react to threats in the maritime community.   Upon completion of the Tactical Operators Course, Dave Considine, NASBLA BOAT Program Director, received an email of appreciation from one of the students. The email reads as follows: ...
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Operation Dry Water Campaign Recognized for Helping to Protect the Public

By Taylor Matsko posted 7 days ago
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AUGUST 06, 2020: The  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has been awarded a 2020  American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)  Power of A Gold Award for the  Operation Dry Water  campaign. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence (BUI) awareness and enforcement campaign with the mission of reducing the number of alcohol- and drug- related incidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and by fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water. ASAE’s Power of A Awards , the industry’s highest honor, recognize the association community’s valuable ...
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NASBLA wins Power of A Award for ‘Operation Dry Water’ Campaign

By Taylor Matsko posted 8 days ago
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NASBLA wins Power of A Award for  ‘Operation Dry Water’ Campaign [LEXINGTON, KY - August 6, 2020] – The  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators  (NASBLA) has been awarded a 2020  American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)  Power of A Gold Award for the  Operation Dry Water campaign. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence (BUI) awareness and enforcement campaign with the mission of reducing the number of alcohol- and drug- related incidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and by fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water. ASAE’s Power ...
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Senate Committee Approves Sport Fish Restoration Boating Trust Fund Ahead of Recess

By Taylor Matsko posted 9 days ago
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Senate Committee Approves Sport Fish Restoration Boating Trust Fund Ahead of Recess The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has approved reauthorization of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (S. 4144), a key priority for members of the recreational boating community. The program supports fishery restoration and conservation efforts, and boating safety and access. The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (SFRBTF), which is set to expire in 2020, supports the recreational boating community with approximately $650 million in annual funding. "The collaborative work of the partner organizations of the Angling ...
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NASBLA Awarded USCG Nonprofit Grants

By Taylor Matsko posted 16 days ago
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NASBLA Awarded USCG Nonprofit Grants Among the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) core v alues is collaboration with members and stakeholders. In doing so, NASBLA works annually to construct nonprofit grant project proposals to meet the needs of members through research, innovation and standards development. As a result of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Nonprofit Organization Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program applications, NASBLA was awarded funding for 10 grant projects, detailed below. Each of these projects is intended to support members and stakeholders in a coordinated effort to make our nation’s waterways safer. ...
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South Carolina DNR shines a spotlight on BUI Enforcement

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-23-2020
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JUNE 23, 2020: BUI enforcement in South Carolina has been the cornerstone of a very successful effort to improve the state’s boating incident and boating-related fatality numbers. Boating has always been a popular activity in South Carolina, but beginning around the late 1980s, the number of boats registered in the state drastically increased. In 1974, records indicate there were just 128,0000 registered vessels in the state. By 1995, that number had more than doubled, and the state experienced one of its highest annual counts of boating incidents that year. Records show that this explosive growth in South Carolina’s registered boats has been continuous. ...
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‘Operation Dry Water’ Takes Place Nationwide Deterring Drunk Boating

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-23-2020
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JUNE 18, 2020: Operation Dry Water (ODW) , a nationwide campaign addressing boating under the influence (BUI), will take place July 3 – 5, over the July fourth holiday. The holiday is known not only for the increased numbers of recreational boaters on the water, but for an increase in the number of injuries and deadly accidents related to boating under the influence. The U.S. Coast Guard, local and state law enforcement agencies, recreational boating safety advocates and the  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)  are gearing up to help raise awareness and prevent tragedies related to boating under the influence. “The decision ...
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Operation Dry Water Reminds Boaters to Boat Sober as Part of National Safe Boating Week

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-23-2020
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MAY 20, 2020: Operation Dry Water  and the  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)   are reminding boaters during National Safe Boating Week, May 16 – 22, 2020, to boat sober this summer. National Safe Boating Week brings attention to important lifesaving tips for recreational boaters and takes place just prior to Memorial Day weekend, the kick-off of the boating season for many. Millions of boaters will head to the water, taking advantage of the warmer weather while honoring, celebrating and remembering all those who lost their lives while serving our country. Unfortunately, alcohol use by both operators and passengers often becomes ...
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Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy While Boating During the COVID-19 Crisis

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-23-2020
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MAY 01, 2020: During the upcoming  2020 Operation Dry Water  weekend, July 3-5, thousands of officers will be on the water nationwide ensuring the safety of boaters and deterring any dangerous activity, including boating under the influence. The Operation Dry Water campaign encourages all boaters to boat responsibly and take extra precautions this boating season in response to the current Coronavirus health crisis. The Operation Dry Water campaign, coordinated by the  National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) , offers these ten tips for practicing social distancing and keeping not only yourself, but other boaters and law enforcement ...
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Operation Dry Water Results Released - Nationwide Boating Under the Influence Crackdown

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-23-2020
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JANUARY 28, 2020: Operation Dry Water , a national heightened awareness and enforcement campaign targeting boating under the influence (BUI), held its annual BUI crackdown over the summer and has released the results from the targeted enforcement weekend. Over the course of the three-day weekend, July 5 – 7, 2019, 736 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies participated in the Operation Dry Water campaign. From these agencies, 7,696 law enforcement officers conducted patrols resulting in a total of 563 boating under the influence arrests. The highest recorded blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was more than three times the legal limit at 0.309 ...
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2020 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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2020 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 22, 2020) –  The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the  Pamela S. Dillon 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 ...
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2020 Regional Boating Officers of the Year Announced

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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NASBLA Announces Regional Boating Officers of the Year LEXINGTON, Ky .  (June 22, 2020) -  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 one regional ...
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2020 Western Region Educator of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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2020 Western Region Educator of the Year Award Winner Aaron Meier, of the  Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), has been named the  2020 Western Region Educator of the Year . Since taking over the boating education program, Meier has completely changed the way that the state of Nevada promotes boating safety and education. Meier was aware of the financial difficulties associated with advertising and promotion in entertainment cities such as Las Vegas and Reno. For this reason, Meier has refocused NDOW’s efforts into almost entirely digital campaigns and connected television, such as streaming on Hulu, Sling and Amazon Prime. His efforts led to a 13% ...
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2020 Southern Region Educator of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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2020 Southern Region Educator of the Year Award Winner Sergeant Brad Stoop, of the  North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), has been named the  Southern Region Educator of the Year for 2020 . Sgt. Brad Stoop began his career with the NCWRC Law Enforcement Division in March of 2000. He is currently stationed in District One Area Three where he works closely with officers in four northeastern counties. In 2006, Sgt. Stoop began teaching standardized field sobriety testing procedure with a team of outstanding instructors. Since that time, Sgt. Stoop has had the opportunity to travel to several states to attend the National Association of ...
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2020 Northern Region Educator of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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2020 Northern Region Educator of the Year Award Winner Richard Werner, of  Safe Boating America , has been named the 2020 Northern Region Educator of the Year. Richard Werner is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master and the owner of Safe Boating America, a safety education company based out of Bethpage, New York. Safe Boating America consists of 17 instructors who teach more than 7,500 students annually throughout New York State and Connecticut. The company will soon be extending their services to the state of Florida. As one of New York’s most active instructors, Werner has been certified to teach the New York State Safe Boating Course since 2004. Over ...
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2020 Western Region Officer of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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2020 Western Region Officer of the Year Award Winner Sergeant Jared Jones, of the  Utah Division of Parks and Recreation , has been named the  2020 Western Region Officer of the Year . Sgt. Jones has spent the majority of his 20-year career working at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell), but spent some time at the Steinaker/Red Fleet/Flaming Gorge complex as well. Since the beginning of his career, Sgt. Jones has been active in the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation’s law enforcement training programs. He has served as an instructor for various courses including firearms, defensive tactics, boating operation and tactics, and more. ...
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2020 Southern Region Officer of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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2020 Southern Region Officer of the Year Award Winner Corporal John Bunting, of the Maryland Natural Resources Police , has been named the  Southern Region Officer of the Year for 2020 . Corporal John Bunting has been employed by the Maryland Natural Resources Police since 2011. Over the course of his career, Cpl. Bunting has always exemplified each of the Agency's core values: courtesy, integrity, dedication and professionalism. He carries himself with pride and humility on and off the job and is well-respected throughout the law enforcement community, judicial system and by the people he serves. Assigned to the eastern reaches of Maryland, Cpl. Bunting’s ...
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2020 Northern Region Officer of the Year Award Winner

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-22-2020
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2020 Northern Region Officer of the Year Award Winner Trooper Chad Juenker, of the New York State Police (NYSP) , has been named the  2020 Northern Region Officer of the Year . For the past 15 years, Trooper Chad Juenker’s dedication to boating safety across New York State (NYS) has contributed significantly to the state’s overall effort to make the waterways safer for all boaters. Trooper Juenker began his career in marine law enforcement in 2005 in western New York, patrolling Lake Erie, the Niagara River and the NYS Canal System. Tpr. Juenker is now responsible for the operation of department vessels to include a 36’ Munson, 19’ Whalers, 10’ Sea ...
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NASBLA Annual Conference Goes Virtual in 2020

By Taylor Matsko posted 06-15-2020
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NASBLA Annual Conference Goes Virtual in 2020 NASBLA has continued to monitor the constantly changing environment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. We see the impact that it has already had, and will continue to have, on state and agency personnel and budgets. Based on much discussion between the NASBLA Executive Board and our members, the NASBLA Executive Board has made the decision to postpone the in-person conference that was to be held this year in Manchester, New Hampshire. NASBLA will instead be hosting a hybrid conference in 2020 that will be held virtually and, on a very limited basis, in person in Lexington, Kentucky.  This conference will ...
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