07-17-2004, 07:06 PM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. – Stanley County Conservation Officer Jason Baldwin was recently honored as the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) South Dakota Boating Officer of the Year.[/size]
[size 2]The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators has developed the Boating Enforcement Officer of the Year award to recognize and honor outstanding service to recreational boating. This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers in the United States.[/size]
[size 2]"As an officer whose district borders both Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe, Officer Baldwin patrols hundreds of miles of shoreline from April through October," said Conservation Officer Supervisor Don McCrea. "Officer Baldwin patrols these waters in an effort to protect the local fisheries resources from exploitation, as well as keeping a keen eye out for any unsafe boating activities. Additionally, Officer Baldwin provides the boating public with assistance whenever he observes a boater in need."[/size][font "Arial"][#000080]
[/#000080][/font][font "Arial"][size 2]McCrea noted that not only is Baldwin’s area loaded with fishermen during the warmer weather months, but the Pierre area is home to a large number of purely recreational boaters as well.[/size]
[size 2]"Packs of personal watercraft and other recreational watercraft inundate the Pierre area, particularly on busy weekends, and Officer Baldwin does an exceptional job of keeping the waters in the Pierre area as safe as possible," McCrea said. "The public has also provided numerous positive comments regarding Officer Baldwin's professional boating-safety presence. "[/size]
[size 2]As if this is not enough boating activity for the year, the Pierre/Ft. Pierre area is also a busy spot during the fall hunting seasons, as numerous hunters choose to hunt the shores and waters of both Lake Sharpe and Lake Oahe in their quest for ducks, geese and deer. [/size]
[size 2]"Knowledge of cold water survival and boating safety is a must, and Officer Baldwin does[/size][/font][font "Arial"][#000080][size 2] [/size][/#000080][/font][font "Arial"][size 2]an excellent job of educating boat hunters to the dangers presented by cold water immersion," McCrea said.[/size]
[size 2]Officer Baldwin is also credited for his outstanding performance of providing assistance to the local Pierre Fire and Rescue Dive Team. "During those unfortunate events that do occur from time to time," McCrea noted, "Conservation Officer Baldwin provides protective services and other logistical support to the local search and recovery teams." [/size]
[size 2]Finally, Officer Baldwin recently completed an intensive, week-long boat accident investigations course, and is now a nationally certified boat accident investigator. State recipients of this award will be eligible for one of three regional awards and go on to compete for the national boating enforcement officer of the year award. [/size][/font]
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[size 2]The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators has developed the Boating Enforcement Officer of the Year award to recognize and honor outstanding service to recreational boating. This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among boating law enforcement officers in the United States.[/size]
[size 2]"As an officer whose district borders both Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe, Officer Baldwin patrols hundreds of miles of shoreline from April through October," said Conservation Officer Supervisor Don McCrea. "Officer Baldwin patrols these waters in an effort to protect the local fisheries resources from exploitation, as well as keeping a keen eye out for any unsafe boating activities. Additionally, Officer Baldwin provides the boating public with assistance whenever he observes a boater in need."[/size][font "Arial"][#000080]
[/#000080][/font][font "Arial"][size 2]McCrea noted that not only is Baldwin’s area loaded with fishermen during the warmer weather months, but the Pierre area is home to a large number of purely recreational boaters as well.[/size]
[size 2]"Packs of personal watercraft and other recreational watercraft inundate the Pierre area, particularly on busy weekends, and Officer Baldwin does an exceptional job of keeping the waters in the Pierre area as safe as possible," McCrea said. "The public has also provided numerous positive comments regarding Officer Baldwin's professional boating-safety presence. "[/size]
[size 2]As if this is not enough boating activity for the year, the Pierre/Ft. Pierre area is also a busy spot during the fall hunting seasons, as numerous hunters choose to hunt the shores and waters of both Lake Sharpe and Lake Oahe in their quest for ducks, geese and deer. [/size]
[size 2]"Knowledge of cold water survival and boating safety is a must, and Officer Baldwin does[/size][/font][font "Arial"][#000080][size 2] [/size][/#000080][/font][font "Arial"][size 2]an excellent job of educating boat hunters to the dangers presented by cold water immersion," McCrea said.[/size]
[size 2]Officer Baldwin is also credited for his outstanding performance of providing assistance to the local Pierre Fire and Rescue Dive Team. "During those unfortunate events that do occur from time to time," McCrea noted, "Conservation Officer Baldwin provides protective services and other logistical support to the local search and recovery teams." [/size]
[size 2]Finally, Officer Baldwin recently completed an intensive, week-long boat accident investigations course, and is now a nationally certified boat accident investigator. State recipients of this award will be eligible for one of three regional awards and go on to compete for the national boating enforcement officer of the year award. [/size][/font]
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