Blogs

NASBLA Joins Global Leaders at Japanese Boating and Water Safety Summit

By Taylor Kirshe posted 4 days ago
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NASBLA Joins Global Leaders at Japanese Boating and Water Safety Summit Boating safety is a global mission, and collaboration remains essential to keeping waterways safe and enjoyable around the world. This shared focus brought together representatives from the United States delegation of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) on March 22 at the 10th Japanese Boating and Water Safety Summit in Yokohama, Japan. Yokohama—whose name means “horizontal beach”—proved an ideal setting for the summit. This cosmopolitan port city, located along Tokyo Bay and flanked by the Ooka ...
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K-12 Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Education Standard – 2nd Draft Public Review

By Taylor Kirshe posted 9 days ago
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K-12 Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Education Standard – 2nd Draft Public Review The National Boating Standards Panel developed this draft standard in collaboration with the K-12 Standards Workgroup, a team of subject matter experts. This Standard is being produced with funding from a U.S. Coast Guard National Nonprofit grant. The purpose of the standard is to educate and empower K-12 audiences to properly choose, use, and wear a personal flotation device (PFD). This aligns with a key objective of the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan: “Develop and implement national minimum education standards for teaching life jacket fit, type, and style; ...
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Your Dedication Makes a Difference – Thank You, NASBLA Volunteers!

By Taylor Kirshe posted 17 days ago
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Your Dedication Makes a Difference – Thank You, NASBLA Volunteers! April is National Volunteer Month, and NASBLA is proud to celebrate the individuals who generously dedicate their time and expertise to advancing recreational boating safety. Our success is built on the commitment of our volunteers, and we want to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to those who make NASBLA’s work possible. First, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the NASBLA Executive Board for their leadership and vision. Their commitment to guiding the association ensures that we continue to grow and evolve in ways that positively impact recreational boating ...
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Nevada Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 03-24-2025
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Nevada Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) would like to welcome Game Warden Captain Buck Tingle, the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the state of Nevada. Tingle brings nearly 20 years of federal and state government experience, including work in wildland fire management, natural resource management, and more than a decade in conservation law enforcement. He spent eight years as a field game warden in Nevada, enforcing the state’s wildlife and boating laws, before advancing to regional lieutenant and, most recently, game warden captain. A native Nevadan, Tingle grew ...
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NASBLA Hosts Dual Events: 2025 State RBS Workshop and Education Seminar

By Taylor Kirshe posted 03-19-2025
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NASBLA Hosts Dual Events: 2025 State RBS Workshop and Education Seminar State agency representatives, including boating law administrators, education coordinators, enforcement coordinators, and registration and titling personnel, attended the 2025 NASBLA State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Workshop to discuss current programs and emerging trends in boating safety. The gathering took place March 11–12 in Lexington, Kentucky, with representatives from 42 states participating. The workshop featured presentations on state grant programs, partnerships, NASBLA initiatives, abandoned and derelict vessels, and more. Attendees also took part in an interactive ...
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Mike Lathroum Earns Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification

By Taylor Kirshe posted 03-19-2025
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Mike Lathroum Earns Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification On February 18, 2025, K. Michael Lathroum of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources successfully passed the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) exam, earning his CRBP certification. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is proud to recognize Mike Lathroum as one of the latest professionals to achieve this credential. Developed by NASBLA, the CRBP certification is a voluntary credential for recreational boating professionals, reflecting expertise, performance, and career accomplishments across key program ...
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2025 NASBLA Spring Events Begin This Week

By Taylor Kirshe posted 03-11-2025
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2025 NASBLA Spring Events Begin This Week The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is hosting the 2025 State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Workshop and the second annual Education Seminar this week in Lexington, Kentucky. The State RBS Workshop began on March 11 and concludes on March 12. This annual two-day event provides state boating authorities with an opportunity to attend sessions on current and emerging issues affecting boating program management. Attendees will also engage in open discussions with colleagues on topics related to state recreational boating safety programs. In conjunction ...
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Captain Josh Landrum Achieves Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification

By Taylor Kirshe posted 03-10-2025
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Captain Josh Landrum Achieves Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) proudly recognizes Captain Josh Landrum of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for successfully earning the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) credential. Captain Landrum passed the CRBP exam on March 4, demonstrating his expertise and commitment to advancing boating safety. The CRBP certification, developed by NASBLA, is a voluntary credential designed to recognize recreational boating professionals for their knowledge, performance, and career achievements ...
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NASBLA Announces New American National Standard for Investigative Training for Boating Incidents

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-25-2025
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NASBLA Announces New American National Standard for Investigative Training for Boating Incidents The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is proud to announce the publication of a new American National Standard, ANSI/NASBLA 500-2025: Investigative Training for Boating Incidents. Effective March 1, 2025, this standard aims to enhance the quality, availability, and consistency of training for recreational boating incident investigators across the United States. Developed through a collaborative effort involving federal and state government representatives, industry experts, nonprofit organizations, and public sector ...
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Anthony I. Macaranas Appointed as Boating Law Administrator for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-25-2025
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Anthony I. Macaranas Appointed as Boating Law Administrator for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is excited to announce the appointment of Anthony I. Macaranas as the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Anthony I. Macaranas has dedicated his life to public service, notably through a distinguished 35-year career in law enforcement within the CNMI. Beginning his journey at the age of 19 in 1986 with the CNMI Department of Public Safety, Macaranas exemplified unwavering commitment and integrity throughout ...
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Captain Seth Snow Attains Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-19-2025
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Captain Seth Snow Attains Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification On January 2, 2025, Captain Seth Snow of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) successfully passed the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) exam, earning his CRBP certification. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is proud to recognize Captain Snow as one of the newest professionals to achieve this prestigious credential. Developed by NASBLA, the CRBP certification is a voluntary credential for recreational boating professionals, reflecting expertise, performance, and career accomplishments ...
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Pennsylvania Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-18-2025
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Pennsylvania Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to welcome Mark Sweppenhiser as Pennsylvania’s new Boating Law Administrator (BLA). Mark has served in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Bureau of Law Enforcement for 25 years, including his time as a Waterways Conservation Officer, and most recently, as the Strategic Initiatives and Projects Coordinator for the Policy, Planning and Communications Office. He has extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Boating Safety program, including law enforcement, boat registration and titling, boating ...
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NASBLA Executive Board Visits U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-11-2025
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NASBLA Executive Board Visits U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Executive Board met with senior U.S. Coast Guard officials at their headquarters on Wednesday, February 5, for two key discussions aimed at strengthening the partnership between the organizations. The board first met with Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7), followed by a meeting with Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin Jr., Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P). During the meeting with Rear Admiral Gilreath, the board focused on updates ...
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Captain Roy Smith Earns Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-10-2025
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Captain Roy Smith Earns Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) proudly recognizes Captain Roy Smith of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) for successfully earning the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) credential. Captain Smith passed the CRBP exam on December 20, demonstrating his expertise and commitment to advancing boating safety. The CRBP certification, developed by NASBLA, is a voluntary credential designed to recognize recreational boating professionals for their knowledge, performance, and career achievements ...
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Maryland Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-10-2025
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Maryland Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) would like to welcome Lieutenant Colonel Michael Sewell, the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the state of Maryland. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Sewell began his career with the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) in 1987, serving in or supervising every unit within the department. He retired in June 2016 as a major after 30 years of service. After an eight-year absence from law enforcement, Sewell returned to the NRP on September 4, 2024, as deputy superintendent. During his first tenure with the NRP, Sewell earned ...
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Illinois Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 02-03-2025
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Illinois Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is excited to announce the appointment of Lieutenant Eric Rollins as the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for Illinois. With 19 years of experience in the Illinois Conservation Police, Lt. Rollins has held various positions, including field officer, legislative liaison, quartermaster, and, most recently, state training supervisor. A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, Lt. Rollins grew up hunting small game, fishing, and boating on the Illinois River. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale ...
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NASBLA BOAT Program Recognizes Jason Judy as the 2024 Instructor of the Year

By Taylor Kirshe posted 01-28-2025
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NASBLA BOAT Program Recognizes Jason Judy as the 2024 Instructor of the Year The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce Jason Judy as the 2024 BOAT Program Instructor of the Year. This prestigious honor recognizes Judy's exceptional performance, unwavering dedication, and exemplary contributions to the Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program . The award celebrates his outstanding commitment to promoting safety, professionalism, and continuous learning within the maritime community. Jason Judy's enthusiasm and passion for the BOAT Program shine through in every class he leads. Drawing from ...
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Captain George Birdwell Achieves Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification

By Taylor Kirshe posted 01-28-2025
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Captain George Birdwell Achieves Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification On December 3, 2024, Captain George Birdwell of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) successfully passed the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) exam and earned his CRBP certification. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is proud to recognize Captain Birdwell as one of the latest professionals to attain this prestigious credential. The CRBP certification, developed by NASBLA, is a voluntary credential designed for recreational boating professionals. It reflects knowledge, performance, and career ...
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NASBLA’s Paddlesports Committee Launches National Safety Recognition

By Taylor Kirshe posted 01-27-2025
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NASBLA’s Paddlesports Committee Launches National Safety Recognition The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and its Paddlesports Committee recently announced the development of the National Paddlesports Committee Honor (NPCH) , which recognizes organizations of all sizes for their commitment to promoting safe paddling practices. In today’s digital world, many accounts prioritize style over safety in their content, often unaware of the impact this can have on paddlers everywhere. Earning this recognition underscores your commitment to safety by upholding high standards in the content your organization shares online. ...
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Boating Standards Panel Welcomes New Members

By Taylor Kirshe posted 01-22-2025
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Boating Standards Panel Welcomes New Members The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the members of the National Boating Standards Panel (BSP) are pleased to welcome three new members to the BSP: Mike Folkerts, Lee Gatts, and Lt. Jason Luce. They officially joined the 15-member panel on January 1, 2025. Mike Folkerts joins the panel representing the Federal Boating Agency category. As the Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska, Folkerts has a long history of involvement in boating safety and education throughout the region. He is widely recognized for his advocacy of voluntary ...
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