Program Awards

These awards, listed below, are due at various times and should be sent to:
Preferred by e-mail: joseph.mccullough@alaska.gov

Mail: Joseph McCullough
        Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
        Office of Boating Safety
        550 W. Seventh Avenue, Suite 1380
        Anchorage, Alaska 99501

Fax: (907) 269-8907

For any questions, please call (907) 269-8705.

Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award - The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators' Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award is presented annually to boating law enforcement officers who have made outstanding contributions to the field of boating law enforcement. The award was created in 2000, through the efforts of NASBLA's Law Enforcement Committee. It consists of three levels: state, regional and national. State nominees are solicited and the state winner selected by the state boating law administrator. The winners from each state continue to one of three regional competitions where one winner per region is selected by the regional awards committees. Regional winners are then submitted to NASBLA's Awards Committee for selection of the national award, also called the Marvin "Butch" Potts Memorial Award in memory of Marvin "Butch" Potts, a boating law enforcement officer and long-time member of the Committee. Nominations are accepted from any Alaska law enforcement agency.

Hollister Award - Awarded by the Western States Boating Administrators Association (WSBAA), the Hollister Award is the Association's most prestigious award. It recognizes outstanding service in the field of boating safety by an individual or group (public or private). It was established at the first official WSBAA conference on May 11, 1962 to recognize the late Senator John J. Hollister, Jr. of California, who was then known as the "father of good boating legislation". Nominations are due by April 1.

Boating Professional of the Year Award - Awarded by the Western States Boating Administrators Association (WSBAA) to an outstanding boating program professional in any area of boating programming. Typically, but not necessarily, the winner is from that year's conference host state to ensure the winner's attendance. Nominations are due by April 1.

Public Service Award - Awarded by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to persons that have furthered boating safety through their public relations, advertising or informational efforts. Nominations may be made to the Office of Boating Safety at any time during the year.

Award of Commendation - Awarded by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators at the request of a state or territory. The award can be given in cases where a person was considered instrumental in and directly contributed to the saving of a human life or lives. The award consists of a certificate along with a letter of commendation from the NASBLA President. Nominations may be made any time during the year, and should be sent to the Office of Boating Safety.

The National Water Safety Congress (NWSC) also has an awards program which recognizes the many water safety professionals, dedicated volunteers and stakeholder organizations that make outstanding contributions to water safety. The NWSC presents these awards each year at the annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit. For more information and to download the NWSC's nomination forms go to http://watersafetycongress.org/awards.shtml.