NASBLA BOAT Program

Crashing boats…for science.

Today we executed the first staged collision of the week in Nashville as part of an effort to better understand how real-world boating incidents occur.

Working alongside leading experts in investigation, forensics, and data collection, this project is designed to capture high-quality, real-time collision data - helping strengthen training and support more accurate incident reconstruction.

This work will directly inform future training under NASBLA’s BOAT Program and reinforce the national standard for boating incident investigations.

This week, the Fire Boat Operations team kicked off a series of courses in Boston that will continue through next week, training more than 40 firefighters from Massport, Boston, Cambridge, and Everett Fire.

The training includes the Fire Boat Operator (FBO) course and SAR Fundamentals - programs designed to meet the growing demands placed on today’s fire service in the marine environment.

Fire service agencies are increasingly called upon for vessel emergencies, waterfront incidents, rescue operations, evacuations, and coordinated response in busy ports and waterways. As maritime search and rescue evolves, local partners are playing a larger operational role.

That is why practical, mission-ready training matters.

Thanks to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston for its support of this critical training, and to Massport for its initiative in expanding maritime capability and readiness across the region.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife will host a five-day Officer Water Survival Train-the-Trainer Course, June 22–26, in Bangor, Maine. This tuition-based course is offered at $2,500 per student and includes food and lodging as part of the registration cost.

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