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NASBLA Seeks CEO to Lead Boating Safety Efforts

By Taylor Kirshe posted yesterday
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NASBLA Seeks CEO to Lead Boating Safety Efforts The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (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, the Boating Law Administrators (BLAs) of all 50 states and the six U.S. territories. The organization offers a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards, publications and more. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, NASBLA affects the ...
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First Watch Gear and Takashina USA Support Southeast and Florida First Responders in Hurricane Recovery Efforts

By Taylor Kirshe posted 3 days ago
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First Watch Gear and Takashina USA Support Southeast and Florida First Responders in Hurricane Recovery Efforts In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which devastated several southeastern states, first responders in Tennessee and North Carolina faced challenging rescue operations in hazardous floodwaters. With equipment damaged and rendered unusable after prolonged exposure to contaminated waters, donations of essential gear have been critical in supporting ongoing recovery efforts. In response, Ross Johnston from First Watch Gear and Chris Sime from Takashina USA stepped forward, offering to donate vital equipment to these ...
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2024 NASBLA Awards Ceremony Honors Industry Leaders

By Taylor Kirshe posted 4 days ago
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Award Winners Recognized at the 6 5 th  Annual NASBLA Conference The 65th Annual NASBLA Conference took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, from Sept. 17-19, 2024. During the awards ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 19, NASBLA presented its annual national awards, honoring members and colleagues in the recreational boating safety community for their exceptional contributions to boating and water safety. This year, NASBLA recognized 16 award winners at the event. Lifetime Achievement Award Paul Barnard ,  8 th  U.S. Coast Guard. District Betsy Woods , Tennessee ...
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Operation Dry Water Awards Honor Officers and Agencies Committed to Combating Boating Under the Influence

By Taylor Kirshe posted 4 days ago
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October 8, 2024: The 2024 Operation Dry Water (ODW) award winners were honored on Thursday, Sept. 19, during the NASBLA Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Recipients of the ODW Officer of the Year, Regional Law Enforcement Award, and Media Award were recognized for their dedication to preventing boating under the influence (BUI) and supporting the Operation Dry Water campaign. The Operation Dry Water Awards Program highlights law enforcement officers and agencies that have made a positive impact on BUI enforcement and outreach in their communities . The 2024 Operation Dry Water Officer ...
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NASBLA Names Marcus Bowling 2024 Boating Educator of the Year

By Taylor Kirshe posted 4 days ago
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NASBLA Names Marcus Bowling 2024 Boating Educator of the Year The 2024 National Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year award was presented to Game Warden Marcus Bowling of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources on Thursday, September 19, during the awards ceremony at the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Generously sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc. , the Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year award was established by NASBLA in 2011 to recognize individuals who ...
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Conservation Officer James Fogarty Recognized as the 2024 National Boating Officer of the Year

By Taylor Kirshe posted 4 days ago
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Conservation Officer James Fogarty Recognized as the 2024 National Boating Officer of the Year During its 65th Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from Sept. 17 to 19, 2024, the   National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)   presented its prestigious National Boating Officer of the Year award to Conservation Officer James Fogarty of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Law Enforcement Division . The  National Boating Officer of the Year  award recognizes a law enforcement officer who has made an outstanding contribution ...
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Award Winners Honored at the 65th Annual NASBLA Conference

By Taylor Kirshe posted 4 days ago
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Award Winners Honored at the 6 5 th  Annual NASBLA Conference The 65th Annual NASBLA Conference took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, from Sept. 17-19, 2024. During the awards ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 19, NASBLA presented its annual national awards, honoring members and colleagues in the recreational boating safety community for their exceptional contributions to boating and water safety. This year, NASBLA recognized 16 award winners at the event. John M. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award NASBLA first began presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. This award is designed to recognize ...
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Massachusetts Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 4 days ago
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Massachusetts Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to welcome Captain Erik Tynan, the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the state of Massachusetts. Captain Erik Tynan, a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, has dedicated his career to marine safety and law enforcement. He graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he earned a Third Mate License, a 100-ton captain’s license, and a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Captain Tynan began his career with the Massachusetts Environmental Police in the Boston area and has since worked across ...
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National Boating Standards Panel Seeks Workgroup Members

By Taylor Kirshe posted 10 days ago
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National Boating Standards Panel Seeks Workgroup Members The National Boating Standards Panel (BSP) is seeking subject matter experts to join in the development of a new standard addressing towed water sports education. This standard will serve as the basis to empower operators of vessels, spotters, and participants engaged in towed water sports activities to make safe decisions that will mitigate risks on the water. Subject matter experts from any and all backgrounds are invited to join this workgroup! You do not have to be a member of NASBLA or BSP to participate. If you or someone you know is interested in this standard project, please contact ...
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Arkansas Names New Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 12 days ago
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Arkansas Names New Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) would like to welcome Corporal Sydney Grant, the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the state of Arkansas. Corporal Sydney Grant has established a distinguished career in wildlife law enforcement with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). Since graduating from the AGFC Enforcement Training Academy in 2016, she has served as a wildlife officer and game warden in Sevier County within the A4 District. Effective October 1, 2024, she has been appointed as Boating Law Administrator (BLA), leveraging her extensive field experience ...
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Alaska Boating Law Administrator Elected NASBLA Chair

By Taylor Kirshe posted 18 days ago
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Alaska Boating Law Administrator Elected NASBLA Chair During its 65th Annual Conference, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 17 – 19, 2024, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) elected Joe McCullough, Boating Law Administrator for Alaska, as chair of the organization for the 2024-2025 year. He succeeds Lt. Curtis Lewis, Illinois’ 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. Joe McCullough has spent 32 years ...
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Andy Foos Attains Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification

By Taylor Kirshe posted 09-10-2024
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Andy Foos Attains Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) Certification On September 5, 2024, Andy Foos of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Watercraft, passed the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) exam and was awarded his CRBP certification. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to recognize Andy Foos as one of the individuals who have recently attained the CRBP credential. The CRBP certification, developed by NASBLA, is a voluntary credential for recreational boating professionals. It encompasses knowledge, performance, and career ...
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K-12 Personal Flotation Device Education Standard: Public Comment Period Now Open through December 5, 2024

By Taylor Kirshe posted 09-09-2024
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K-12 Personal Flotation Device Education Standard: Public Comment Period Now Open through December 5, 2024 NASBLA’s National Boating Standards Panel (BSP) is seeking your feedback on the new American National Standard candidate, the K-12 Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Education Standard . Currently, there is no uniform education standard that supports the state and federal requirements for children to wear PFDs. BSP established the K-12 Workgroup to develop a standard to serve as the foundation for curriculum developers to address this need. The goal of this Standard is to educate a younger audience of boaters, an audience that will carry the ...
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Tennessee names new Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 08-12-2024
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Tennessee names new Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is excited to welcome Lieutenant Colonel Matt Majors, the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the state of Tennessee. Lt. Col. Majors is well-acquainted with both the U.S. Coast Guard and NASBLA, having deeply engaged with both organizations. His extensive involvement has provided him with significant knowledge and experience with these organizations. Since 2002, Lt. Col. Majors has served with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Over his 22-year tenure, he has held various roles, including wildlife officer, boating ...
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Hawaii names new Boating Law Administrator

By Taylor Kirshe posted 08-05-2024
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Hawaii names new Boating Law Administrator The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to welcome Meghan Statts, the new Boating Law Administrator (BLA) for the state of Hawaii. Meghan Statts was born and raised in Kailua, Oahu, and is a proud graduate of Kailua High School. With a career dedicated to public service, Meghan has been an integral part of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, for 29 years. Throughout her tenure, she has held various positions and currently serves as the Administrator for the Division. The Division has been tasked with 13 mandates, ...
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Protecting Indiana's Waterways: A Look at DNR's Boating Safety Efforts

By Taylor Kirshe posted 06-18-2024
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JUNE 18, 2024: Indiana's ties to the maritime world date back to its days as the Indiana Territory. The famous Corps of Discovery expedition, later known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition, began when Meriwether Lewis met William Clark in what is now Clarksville, Indiana. From there, they navigated down the Ohio River corridor and up the Mississippi River, officially starting their expedition in St. Louis, Missouri. The state boasts 100,000 acres of publicly owned lakes and reservoirs, 50 miles of Great Lakes shoreline along Lake Michigan, and 35,000 miles of rivers and streams. Known as the "Hoosier State" and "The Crossroads of America," Indiana is home ...
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Operation Surf and Turf: Joint Effort Removes Impaired Operators on Water and Roadway

By Taylor Kirshe posted 06-17-2024
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Operation Surf and Turf: Joint Effort Removes Impaired Operators on Water and Roadway On May 31, 2024, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) wildlife officers partnered with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the Metro Nashville Police Department with a common goal: to remove impaired operators. All these departments agree that operating any vehicle or vessel under the influence is dangerous, whether you are on the water or on the roadways of Tennessee. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., wildlife officers conducted boat patrols accompanied by troopers to assist with vessel stops and boating under the influence (BUI) investigations. They saturated ...
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NASBLA Names 2024 Regional Winners for Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award

By Taylor Kirshe posted 06-12-2024
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NASBLA Names 2024 Regional Winners for Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2024) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the 2024 Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year award . Generously sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc. , this award was established by NASBLA in 2011 to honor educators who excel in engaging students and boaters, raising awareness, and making boating education initiatives relevant, comprehensive, and exciting. As NASBLA members, every state and territory is eligible to nominate their state-level ...
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NASBLA Announces 2024 Regional Winners of the Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award

By Taylor Kirshe posted 06-12-2024
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NASBLA Announces 2024 Regional Winners of the Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2024) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is excited to announce this year’s regional winners of the Butch Potts Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award . This prestigious award represents the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers across the United States. The selection process for this award began in January when NASBLA solicited nominations from each state and territory for their boating law enforcement officer of the year. Subsequently, ...
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2024 Western Region Educator of the Year Award Winner Announced

By Taylor Kirshe posted 06-12-2024
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2024 Western Region Educator of the Year Award Winner Announced Scott Murdoch, a dedicated wildlife officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), has been named the NASBLA Western Region Educator of the Year for 2024. When envisioning a boating educator in Colorado, one might not immediately think of a wildlife officer from Conifer, a small district without boating waters. However, Murdoch has defied expectations, becoming instrumental in CPW’s mission to promote boating safety across the state. Murdoch began his career as a district wildlife manager in Grand Lake, where he seized every opportunity to be on the water, patrol, and educate ...
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