MOAA and NASBLA align for homeland security

WASHINGTON – The Marina Operators Association of America and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators have signed a memorandum of understanding aligning the two organization’s efforts to strengthen homeland security, MOAA said in a release today.

The signing took place Sept. 20 at the States Organization for Boating Access National Conference in Kalispell, Mont.

The organizations agreed to:

– Work cooperatively to identify opportunities to strengthen both national and local collaborative efforts including fostering mutual support for NASBLA and MOAA programs which impact boating safety and homeland security.

– Explore, and when appropriate, jointly pursue projects mutually determined to be beneficial to America’s homeland security initiatives and the safety of the recreational boating public.

– Work together in identifying and developing opportunities to recognize and promote the importance of securing America’s ports, marinas, and boating facilities.

– Strive to maintain routine communications between each organization’s policy-makers and staff to promptly address concerns that may arise on homeland security issues and to keep each organization informed of policies, priorities, actions and other developments that might impact the parties’ relationship and/or their ability to support the broader homeland security agenda. These routine communications may from time to time include an invitation for each party to send a representative to attend the other organization’s respective governing board meetings.

Randy Edwards, NASBLA president and State Boating Law administrator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and MOAA president Bill Anderson of WESTREC Marina Management were on hand at the conference to sign the memorandum.

“We recognize the opportunity to take advantage of the interaction between boating law administrators, marina operators and the boating public to improve the communication required for securing our nation’s waters,” said MOAA Executive Director Jim Frye.

“Whether it’s homeland security initiatives or boating safety, growing this relationship will strengthen waterfront communities and improve the boating experience.”

• For more of the latest news, click here.