Michigan Conservation Officer Greg Patten has been named a 2008 Boating Officer of the Year by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Officer Patten was one of 18 officers nominated from Northern States for the honor. Officer Patten is a 22-year veteran conservation officer and is stationed in Muskegon County. His work area is adjacent to Lake Michigan, and includes several inland lakes and two major river systems.

"Greg Patten is an exemplary marine enforcement officer, and strengthened our relationship with other law enforcement agencies out on the water, including the U.S. Coast Guard, local sheriff's department and public safety officials," said Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler. "He conducts several boating under the influence enforcement patrols, and is often contacted by other agencies to assist in these types of investigations."

Officer Patten works on marine safety compliance with all user groups, including cold-water hunting situations, charter boats and recreational boaters. He is often requested by law enforcement agencies and constituent groups to provide marine safety education, and in 2008 provided an educational presentation to the Muskegon Power Squadron and training to the U.S. Coast Guard.

"Officer Patten has an exceptional working relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Muskegon," Hagler noted. "These partnerships result in better marine safety enforcement efforts in this region."

Some examples of Patten's partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard include working a rocket launch safety zone on Lake Michigan, numerous joint patrols, on-the-water charter boat joint patrol and assisting with on-water training scenarios.

Officer Patten also has strong community ties, including a public radio show promoting marine safety and numerous other marine safety public appearances. He annually attends and assists the U.S. Coast Guard, Grand Haven Charter Boat Association and others with the Indian Trails Spring Lake outing, which consists of providing persons with disabilities with a boat ride on local charter boats.

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories.