15 Vol. 83, No. 1 | Proceedings and coordination issues. The use of written agreements authorized by 46 U.S.C. § 13109, between the federal gov- ernment and states, is the proper vehicle for the resolu- tion of such problems. Therefore, Coast Guard districts have an RBS MOA with states located in their area of responsibility. Maintained by the district RBP special- ist, these MOAs address consultation, cooperation, and execution of RBS operations pertaining to law enforce- ment, boating under the influence, public education and training, information sharing, boating incident notifica- tion, investigation and reporting responsibilities, and search and rescue The MOA is the formal handshake between the Coast Guard and the states that keeps the alliance strong. To ensure agreements are current, on behalf of the district commander, district RBP specialists coordinate RBS MOA reviews with states and Coast Guard Sectors in their area of responsibility every two years. While districts maintain RBS MOAs with individual states, the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division main- tains a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NASBLA. This MOU sets forth terms by which NASBLA and the Coast Guard will strive to provide recreational boaters with the benefits available through both organi- zations. Anchored by federal law, sustained by Trust Fund investments, and strengthened through partnerships, the Coast Guard’s RBS Program is a model of federal and state collaboration. Strong boating safety partnerships with shared objectives and efforts are critical to the success of the Coast Guard’s RBS program. Among its many RBS partners, none is more central than NASBLA. Founded in 1960, NASBLA emerged from a meeting of state boating officials and the Coast Guard to standardize boat numbering systems. Over time, it evolved into a comprehensive national nonprofit organization representing all states. With NASBLA as a national linchpin, the program ensures consistent standards while allowing flex- ibility for states to address local needs. Together, these efforts create a safer, more enjoyable environment for the nation’s 85 million annual recreational boaters. The NASBLA Executive Board meets with RADM Wayne R. Arguin at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters on February 5, 2025, to discuss key boating safety policy and legislative priorities. Photo courtesy of NASBLA NASBLA Programs Driving RBS Objectives Boat Operations and Training Program Recognized nationally by the Coast Guard, the Boat Operations and Training Program, or BOAT, has trained more than 33,000 marine law enforcement officers, deliv- ering courses from basic vessel operations to advanced topics like pursuit and stop, collision reconstruction, and GPS forensics. Offering a train-the-trainer model option amplifies its reach across states. Finally, BOAT ensures interoperability of state and other agency resources with the Coast Guard. Law Enforcement and Boating Under the Influence The Law Enforcement and Boating Under the Influence program offers train-the-trainer courses, which prepare instructors to train others, and advanced BUI detection and enforcement training, including standardized sobri- ety tests and drug impairment detection. Also part of this program is the highly successful Operation Dry Water campaign, a high-profile awareness and enforcement push to reduce alcohol/drug-related boating incidents. Incident Investigation and Data Surveillance The Incident Investigation and Data Surveillance pro- gram offers Level I and II boating incident investigation
