Blogs

Brown elected NASBLA President

By Hannah Helsby posted 3 days ago
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Lt. Mark Brown elected NASBLA President at 59th Annual NASBLA Conference During its 59th annual meeting, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sept. 9-12, 2018, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) elected Lieutenant Mark Brown, Boating Law Administrator for Oklahoma, as President of the nonprofit organization for the 2018-2019 year. He succeeds Tom Guess, Virginia’s boating law administrator. As a member of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Lt. Brown has served on the NASBLA Education & Outreach Committee in many capacities ranging from committee member to committee chairman, working on multiple ...
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2018 National Boating Officer of the Year Announced

By Hannah Helsby posted 3 days ago
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Indianapolis, Indiana (Sept. 11, 2018) – During its 59th annual meeting , held in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sept. 9 -12, 2018, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) presented its prestigious National Boating Officer of the Year award to Officer Juan Blanco with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The National Boating Officer of the Year award recognizes a law enforcement officer who has made an outstanding contribution to boating safety through enforcement and has performed an outstanding service to the agency or state in any facet of recreational boating safety. Officer Juan Blanco began doing ...
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2018 National Boating Educator of the Year Announced

By Hannah Helsby posted 4 days ago
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Indianapolis, Indiana (Sept. 11, 2018) – During its 59th annual meeting , held in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sept. 9 -12, 2018, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) presented its prestigious national Boating Educator of the Year award to Liz Lodman with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Generously sponsored by Fresh Air Educators and Kalkomey, the Boating Educator of the Year Award was launched by NASBLA in 2011 to recognize those who go above and beyond to engage students and boaters, raise awareness, and make boating education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting. Liz Lodman has been an invaluable asset ...
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A New Webinar Series on Applying the Public Health Approach to Recreational Boating Injury Prevention

By Ron Sarver posted 5 days ago
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The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Safe States Alliance is pleased to present a four part series entitled: Applying the Public Health Approach to Recreational Boating Injury Prevention . In 2017, the Coast Guard counted 4,291 accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately $46 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. State recreational boating safety programs are responsible for the annual implementation of more than 95% of all boating safety expenditures nationwide – including boating law enforcement, boating safety education, public access, aids ...
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Can you help the Coast Guard save lives?

By Ron Sarver posted 17 days ago
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Today, the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, launched the U.S. Coast Guard Ready for Rescue Challenge , a $255,000 prize competition that seeks boater safety solutions that will help make it easier to find people in the water. The Challenge is designed to find novel technology and materials to develop a new or updated life jacket, an attachment to a life jacket, or a new safety device for boaters. The best solutions will be effective, affordable, and hold the potential for wide adoption by recreational boaters. This call is for Phase I in ...
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Charlie Sledd Passes the Baton

By Hannah Helsby posted 17 days ago
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For the last six years NASBLA has been extremely fortunate to have Charlie Sledd represent NASBLA in Washington, DC among the key organizations who comprise the leadership of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund  (known as the  Angling and Boating Alliance or ABA.) As a former State Boating Law Administrator, legislative liaison, committee chair, executive board member and NASBLA President, Charlie was and is imminently qualified to represent our members around the ABA table. Throughout his tenure in this key position, Charlie’s commitment to our mission and our members, as well as his dedication to the purposes of the trust fund have been foremost. Charlie's ...
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Toth named Chair, CRBP Commission

By Hannah Helsby posted 17 days ago
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Toth named Chair, Commission on Certified Recreational Boating Professionals Kelli Toth,  Education And Outreach Coordinator for the Alaska Office of Boating Safety has been selected to serve as the new Chair of the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification Commission . The Commission is an independent organization created by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators to take the lead and set professional industry standards for the training and career development of paid and volunteer recreational boating professionals.  "NASBLA is excited to have Kelli as Chair of the CRBP Commission. Kelli brings innovation, ...
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UCOTVA in Virginia -- What is it and why does it matter?

By Thomas Guess posted 08-23-2018
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UCOTVA in Virginia -- What is it and why does it matter? Tom Guess, Boating Law Administrator, Virginia During the 2013 session of the Virginia General Assembly Senator Wagner introduced Senate Bill 1117 to begin the process of enacting the Uniformed Certificate of Titling for Vessels Act in Virginia (UCOTVA).  During this same time, I was selected by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to be the Chairman of the Vessel Identification Registration and Titling Committee.  I made a comment in jest that since I was the chair of the NASBLA committee that would work to support states in implementing UCOTVA that Virginia would be ...
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NSBC On-Water Course Recognized as Verified Course

By Hannah Helsby posted 08-22-2018
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NSBC On-Water Course Recognized as Verified Course The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) is being recognized for meeting the American National Standard for  On-Water Recreational Boating Skills Standard – POWER. The NSBC is the first organization to receive this voluntary third-party verification for an on-water powerboating course based on the American National Standard for recreational boating skills. The organization's on-water powerboating course, “ Essentials of Close-Quarter and Open Water Boat Control ,” has been verified to meet the American National Standard for on-water skills entitled  EDU-1 On-Water Power Standards  and has received ...
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New PWC for Law Enforcement Training Course Launched

By Hannah Helsby posted 08-15-2018
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NEW  Personal Watercraft for Law Enforcement  Training Course Launched   The  NASBLA BOAT Program  is excited to announce the expansion of its course catalog with the addition of the Personal Watercraft for Law Enforcement training course. This course gives maritime law enforcement and emergency responders, with proficient boating skills, a comprehensive framework in order to become more proficient with specialized skills necessary to operate personal watercraft in the maritime law enforcement environment.    “We are excited to offer this PWC-LE course to better prepare our nations maritime law enforcement operators to respond to all scenarios ...
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Louisiana DWF recognized for re-accreditation through NASBLA BOAT Program

By Hannah Helsby posted 06-25-2018
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recognized for re-accreditation through NASBLA BOAT Program Lexington, KY (06/25/18) -- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is being recognized for its achievement of re-accreditation with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program . The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was the first law enforcement agency to receive this national accreditation in 2011. Since then the agency has been an exemplary role model for other agencies pursuing accreditation.   “The Louisiana Department of Wildlife ...
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2018 Regional Boating Officers of the Year Announced

By Hannah Helsby posted 06-06-2018
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2018 Regional Boating Officers of the Year Announced LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 06, 2018) – 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 . Candidates for this award have performed an outstanding service to their agency or state and have made significant contributions to recreational boating safety.   As a member of NASBLA, every state and territory is eligible to nominate their state‐level boating officer of the year to be considered for the regional and national boating officers of the year. The regional winners are ...
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2018 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced

By Hannah Helsby posted 06-06-2018
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2018 Regional Boating Educators of the Year Announced LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 06, 2018) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the Boating Educator of the Year Award . Sponsored by Fresh Air Educators , the Boating Educator of the Year Award recognizes those who go above and beyond 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 of the year to be considered for the regional and national educator ...
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2017 Recreational Boating Statistics released

By Hannah Helsby posted 05-29-2018
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Decrease in deaths, accidents, injuries in 2017, latest Recreational Boating Statistics released The 2017 Recreational Boating Statistics , released May 29, 2018, contain statistics on recreational boating accidents and state vessel registration. The publication is a result of the coordinated effort of the U.S. Coast Guard and the states and territories. In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard counted 4,291 accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately $46 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. Compared to 2016, the number of accidents decreased 3.9%, the number of deaths decreased 6.1%, and ...
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National Safe Boating Week promotes safe boating practices to kick off boating season

By Hannah Helsby posted 05-16-2018
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National Safe Boating Week promotes safe boating practices to kick off boating season May 19-25, 2018   (04/16/18 Lexington, KY) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is proud to join boating safety advocates nationwide to raise awareness about safe boating practices during National Safe Boating Week. Millions of Americans participate in the sport and leisure of recreational boating and are gearing up to enjoy the summer boating months across the country. National Safe Boating Week is observed to bring attention to important life-saving tips for recreational boaters so they can have a safe and enjoyable boating ...
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Automated Radio Check Service

By Taylor Matsko posted 05-16-2018
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Sea Tow Automated Radio Check Service Spring is here, and it is time to get ready to get out on the water. While checking off your spring conditioning checklist, don’t forget to check the VHF radio to make sure that it is working. Sea Tow has a free and easy way to do just that. The Sea Tow Automated Radio Check (ARC) Service provides boaters with a reliable, fast and easy way to check the working status of their VHF radios without having to use Channel 16, thereby reserving that frequency for emergency calls. Referred to as ARC, the service was launched in 2011 and currently has over 115 ARC Stations nationwide with more being added weekly.  Conducting ...
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Appointments announced for NBSAC

By Hannah Helsby posted 04-11-2018
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Appointments announced for  National Boating Safety Advisory Council    NASBLA would like to congratulate the following Boating Law Administrators (BLAs) on being selected to serve on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council.    This following list of BLAs appointed/reappointed, fill the terms that expired in 2016 and 2017. Dave Dahms  - Idaho - Term expiring 12/31/2019 Tim Dunleavy  - New Hampshire - Term expiring 12/31/2019 Mark Brown  - Oklahoma - Term expiring 12/31/2020 Cody Jones  - Texas - Term expiring 12/31/2020 Gary Klein  - Florida - Term expiring 12/31/2020 In addition to this list of BLAs, NASBLA's CEO & ...
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As Boating Season Begins, Help Raise Awareness of the "Killer in Our Rivers"

By Ron Sarver posted 03-26-2018
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Submitted by the Indiana Silver Jackets and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials Since 1960, roughly 400 fatalities have occurred at low-head dams, structures ranging from about one to fifteen feet in height. Among the victims: boaters, kayakers, swimmers, and emergency responders who became trapped in a powerful hydraulic roller created at the base of many of these dams. Boaters are often unaware of the potentially extreme forces and vortices at low-head dams, as the surrounding waters may look calm and inviting. Below the surface, however, turbulent conditions can create highly aerated, circulating currents that decrease the buoyancy of personal ...
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CT DEEP, State Environmental Conservation Police awarded National Accreditation

By Hannah Helsby posted 03-21-2018
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Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, State Environmental Conservation Police awarded National Accreditation March 21, 2018 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), State Environmental Conservation Police is being recognized as an accredited agency by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program. The BOAT Program’s mission is to ensure the readiness of law enforcement and emergency response boat crews throughout the country. Agencies who choose to adopt this national standard of training, typing and credentialing ...
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Water-Jet Propelled Supplement Earns Distinction as American National Standard

By Hannah Helsby posted 03-21-2018
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  Water-Jet Propelled Supplement Earns Distinction as American National Standard   LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 21, 2018) – The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has announced recognition of a new Water-Jet Propelled Supplement as an American National Standard. The supplement, entitled ANSI/NASBLA 103.1-2018: Supplement – Basic Boating Knowledge- Water Jet Propelled , is developed for use in conjunction with the previously published American National Standard for Power Boat Knowledge.   This new supplement provides optional, supplementary content for ANSI/NASBLA 103-2016: Basic Boating Knowledge – Power to address basic recreational ...
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