July 23, 2018

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have partnered to allow ABYC members to attend classes in NASBLA’s Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program, previously only available to maritime law enforcement officials and related personnel.

In the two weeks since the partnership was announced exclusively to ABYC members, the “Boating Accident Investigation and Analysis” course sold out. With the overwhelming response, additional classes are expected to be scheduled in the future. Seats are still available for the GPS Forensics course.

“For the first time, NASBLA is offering ABYC members the opportunity to attend NASBLA BOAT Program’s Boating Accident Investigation course and the GPS Forensics course,” said John Fetterman, NASBLA Deputy Executive Director. “This collaboration with ABYC is a natural fit, and an opportunity to train to a national standard, that is long overdue.”

The sold out “Boating Accident Investigation and Analysis” course will be held Sept. 10-14, 2018 in Annapolis. In this class, students will develop skills needed to conduct a thorough and comprehensive recreational boating accident investigation. A waiting list is available.

The “GPS Forensics” course will be held Nov. 15, 2018, in Annapolis. Students will learn about the wide variety of GPS devices that are on the market and the types of data the devices hold. They will gain foundational knowledge and skills for recovering evidence from GPS devices and preparing for courtroom presentation.

“Skilled individuals in the investigative process are a must to improve boating safety as a result of accidents,” said ABYC President John Adey. “The ability for ABYC members to participate in NASBLA’s program is exciting and long awaited – this is cooperation at its best.”

Learn more and register at www.abycinc.org or call 410-990-4460.