The investigation of boat theft, a growing problem throughout the country, has been hampered by inadequacies in the areas of legislation, identification standards, the exchange of ownership and registration information among States, a comprehensive stolen boat file at the national level, and interest in boat theft by the law enforcement community. Almost 2 years ago, the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) operational procedures committee drafted and circulated a survey on boat registration, tilting, and theft to the NLETS representatives in all 50 States. The primary purpose of the survey was to determine the desirability and feasibility of providing message keys for exchanging boat registration information among the States. The outcome was that the NLETS will support message keys for exchanging boat registration information by the end of 1981. There will be provision for States without automated boat registrations to participate. In Illinois, law enforcement can access automated boat registration and title records. Illinois will make these files available nationwide through NLETS. The Illinois LEADS System implemented its own stolen boat file this past January. Each record contains 10 additional data fields not found in the existing National Crime Information Center (NCIC) stolen boat record. State agencies should support and encourage NCIC's efforts to improve and expand their stolen boat file. Information from the NLETS survey is provided along with a sample of the form used in the Illinois stolen boat file.