Dean Culwell Receives Award

At the Western States Boating Administrator’s Association (WSBAA) annual conference recently held in Helena, Montana, Dean Culwell, the State Liaison Officer for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, was presented the PROFESSIONAL BOATER OF THE YEAR award.

Previously known as the “President’s Award”, Outdoor Empire Publishing sponsors this award. Historically this award is selected by the host state of the WSBAA conference. This award is open to any boating professional.

Dean has been instrumental in writing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US Coast Guard and the State of Montana and USCG Auxiliary and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Dean is also a member of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Boating Advisory Committee for several years.

Every summer Dean commits at least half of his weekends to boating safety on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. He loves being on the water and chatting with fellow boaters. He urges safety to inexperienced and sometimes reckless jet skiers, giving out free ice cream cone coupons to children wearing their life jackets, and helping anyone who may need assistance on the water.

Dean’s most recent endeavors have been reading the Lewis and Clark journals and documenting every boating accident or mishap the Corps experienced while traveling through Montana. He’s written a report (more like a book) about the accidents, their causes, the types of boats used and where they traveled while in Montana.

Dean’s priorities in life include his family (which includes 2 sons and 2 grandchildren), his profession, the outdoors, and his love and passion for boating and the water. Dean has been an outstanding mentor to members of the Auxiliary. He is a valuable advisor to the state’s boating program. He is a leader with the ability to view situations in the long term – a man with vision, a forward thinker, never getting lost in the minutia.

Hard work, commitment, and compassion are attributes that define Dean.

Dean is an asset to the USCG Auxiliary, and the State of Montana.