Grants

BOATING SAFETY DASHBOARDS

NASBLA has received grant funding to investigate the efficacy of online and classroom recreational boating safety courses that have been approved by NASBLA as meeting the American National Standard, ANSI/NASBLA 103-2022 Basic Boating Knowledge - Plus Power. This grant project will conduct original research through a nonrandomized knowledge retention study to determine if retention of boating safety standards knowledge is comparable between (a) traditional online training (static content presentation), (b) interactive online training, (c) classroom (face-to-face) training, and (d) virtual classroom courses, 4 months after completing training. Overall, the goal of this oneyear effort is to reduce recreational boating fatalities, injuries, and property damage by cultivating a boating public better knowledgeable and equipped to engage in safe boating behaviors. Also, this project's goal is to strengthen the delivery of knowledge instruction for recreational boating safety courses. This grant project was awarded funding for one year.

BOATING INCIDENT INVESTIGATION & GPS FORENSICS COURSES

NASBLA has received funding to improve the reliability of incident reporting and data collection through the effective training of law enforcement and incident investigators. NASBLA will continue to deliver Boating Incident Investigation and GPS Forensic courses. Officers calls for service to investigate boating incidents continue to rise with the increase in recreational boating activity nationwide. This emphasizes the importance and the demand for professionally trained officers and investigators in the technical role of incident investigation across the nation. Additionally, as GPS technology continues to become more affordable and commonplace on most all vessels from the dealer, officers nationwide realized the incredible value of the data these units could provide for an investigation of a boating related incident. This project was awarded funding for three years in FY23, and will be entering into its third year of funding in FY25.

BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DETECTION & ENFORCEMENT TRAINING

Under funding from this grant, NASBLA will conduct a series of training courses to combat boating under the influence of alcohol (BUI) and drugs (BUI-D). NASBLA will deliver Boating Under the Influence Train-the-Trainer courses designed for marine law enforcement officers who wish to teach other officers the BUI Course, an Advanced BUI Detection and Enforcement Training Course and BUI Instructor Workshop. This project was awarded funding for three years in FY23, and will be entering into its third year of funding in FY25.

BUI AWARENESS & ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN: OPERATION DRY WATER

Grant funding will be used to deliver the Operation Dry Water (ODW) campaign. Operation Dry Water is a yearround national boating under the influence 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 and drug use on the water. The campaign takes place in every U.S. state and territory with participation from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. As a result of the three-day heightened enforcement weekend, hundreds of impaired operators will be removed from the waterways and thousands of boaters will be educated about safe boating practices.This project was awarded funding for three years in FY23, and will be entering into its third year of funding in FY25.

DELIVERY OF TRAINING FOR COURTROOM PREPARATION: EFFECTIVELY PROSECUTING BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

NASBLA has received grant funding to partner with the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) in developing a courtroom preparation training module to support the prosecution of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) cases. This new module will supplement NASBLA’s existing BUI detection and enforcement training by helping prosecutors strengthen their courtroom performance and better prepare for trial. The training also reinforces officers’ ability to clearly and effectively present the facts and informed opinions that led to an arrest, improving the quality of testimony and increasing the likelihood of successful case outcomes.

Through this effort, NASBLA and NDAA are working to close the gap between enforcement and prosecution by combining the expertise of BUI-trained officers with NDAA’s nationally recognized training resources for prosecutors. By leveraging NDAA’s National Traffic Law Center and its nationwide network of legal professionals, this project will foster stronger partnerships across the criminal justice system and ultimately improve the effective adjudication of BUI cases nationwide. This grant project was awarded funding for one year.

NATIONAL BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT

NASBLA has received grant funding from the U.S. Coast Guard to support the National Boating Education Standards Panel (BSP), which focuses on American National Standards for knowledge and competency standards for recreational boaters and boating professionals working within or on behalf of the recreational boating community.

Current BSP projects include several key initiatives aimed at enhancing boating safety education. One project involves developing a K–12 Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Education Standard, in partnership with the National Water Safety Action Plan. This standard will define the essential knowledge needed for students to properly understand, select, fit, and use wearable PFDs, helping to mitigate risk factors and prevent drowning. Another important initiative is the creation of a Towed Water Sports Standard. This new education standard will outline the critical knowledge necessary to reduce human risk, minimize user conflicts, and address environmental concerns related to towed water sports throughout the United States and its territories. Additionally, BSP continues to maintain current and relevant standards covering basic boating knowledge for powerboats, sailing, and human-propelled crafts. These standards support boating courses in all 56 states and territories.

Funding for creating, maintaining, and promoting these standards is provided through September 2025. Standardized training and education will improve preparedness and reduce risks across the recreational boating community.

STANDARDIZING STATE RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY STATUTES & REGULATIONS: NASBLA & THE STATES

NASBLA has been awarded funding to partner with and support the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and the recreational boating safety (RBS) community by fostering standardization and reciprocity among state boating safety statutes, regulations, and rules, and how they are administered and enforced. NASBLA, through the states and a well-established volunteer policy committee structure, will develop or update model state boating safety policies, standards, and best practices as well as guidance for their administration and enforcement. Through this grant project, NASBLA will facilitate hands-on coordination of state efforts and the establishment of cooperative environments, to include workshops and conferences where state officials can discuss issues, resolutions, policies, and best practices, and improve their management of the RBS programs. This project was awarded funding for three years in FY23, and will be entering into its third year of funding in FY25.