If you are a first-time boater or if you just want to learn the latest "rules of the road", this will help make your boating activities safe and enjoyable. A boat is your passage to amazing multi-season activities. Recreational boating is a great day on the water AND it is our shared responsibility to help keep the waters and resources that we use healthy for generations to come.
Boating Safety and Education for All
FREE online activities and lessons to boating safety information for children, youth, adults and schools.
Boating Home Study Course
This DBW course meets the new California Boater Card education requirement. It can be read online or downloaded to a home computer. The exam consists of 60 questions. Students who use the online book may order individual exam packets. This national and state approved course allows boaters to study at home at their own pace, and it covers state and federal boating laws, rules of the road, boat handling, required equipment, navigational aids, accident reporting and special topics.
Once completed, the answer sheet can be returned to DBW for scoring. Certificates of completion will be mailed to students who receive at least 80% score. (Please allow four to six weeks for delivery).
How to take the course:
Click here to open the digital course book. If you are interested in taking the exam, after reading the digital course book, e-mail DBW to request an exam packet be delivered by mail. Books/exam packets cannot be delivered by fax or e-mail.
The AquaSMART Live! Puppet Show
BRING AquaSMART LIVE! TO YOUR SCHOOL
While playing in the water can be fun, it can also be dangerous. The AquaSMART Live! Puppet Show presentation teaches students water and boating safety lessons that can help save lives.
The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways provides this assembly free of charge.
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K-12 Education
Boating and Waterways provides fundamental water safety training for all the children in the state, so California’s youth will be able to enjoy water recreation while avoiding its hazards. California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) developed the award-winning AquaSMART curriculum program available to K-12 teachers and parents. The DBW is also active in many youth outreach events and through traditional and online media to fulfill its responsibility of boating safety education for California children and youth.
Boating and Waterways
California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) relies on partnerships with many organizations (educational institutions, aquatic centers, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons) and more to provide boating safety education and positive outreach to children, youth, and adults.
Go Boating Today!
No boat. No problem. Enter your city or zip code to search for boat rentals or charters near you!
Green boating resources, tips and ideas for personal watercraft users.
Learn about how to minimize your impact on the environment and responsible recreation practices at TreadLightly.org
Read More: Discover Boating
The Basics of Boating with Your Pet:
How do you choose a life jacket for your dog?
Fit: Make sure the life jacket fits securely. It is best to check the fit in the store, before you buy.
Lifting Handles: To make retrieving your pet safer and easier.
Comfort: Check to see where straps and buckles fall to make sure they will not cause your pet any discomfort.
Color: Choose a bright color to make it easier to spot your dog in the water.
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U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety
U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division (CG-BSX-2) is dedicated to reducing loss of life, injuries, and property damage that occur on U.S. waterways by improving the knowledge, skills, and abilities of recreational boaters.
As the nation's recreational boating safety coordinator, the Coast Guard works to minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm.
The Coast Guard boating safety program involves public education programs, regulation of boat design and construction, approval of boating safety equipment, and vessel safety checks for compliance with federal and state safety requirements. The Coast Guard Mobile App supports these missions by providing the essential services and information most commonly requested by boaters.
Boating Safety Courses
Free Boating MIC Certification
Many boating safety courses are offered throughout the country, for all types of recreational boaters, and for boaters of all ages. Qualified volunteer organizations, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, and others sponsor many courses, and many state boating agencies also provide classes.
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Boating Tests Videos
The U.S. Coast Guard Mobile App
- Boating Safety App features
Find the latest safety regulations
•Request a vessel safety check
•Check your safety equipment
•File a float plan
•Navigation Rules
•Find the nearest NOAA buoy
•Report a hazard
•Report pollution
•Report suspicious activity
•Request emergency assistance
Read More
Clubhouse
Bobber the Water Safety Dog invites kids to visit his water safety website to paws and play games, color, watch cartoons, and learn about the importance of wearing a life jacket.
Read More
Public Downloads
All items are free to view, share, and download.
When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
Download Boating Activities
All-in-one Bobber Boating Activities
DownloadSize 3.63 MB
AquaSmart Boating and Water Activity Book
DownloadSize 20.83 MB
Arizona Kids I Love To Go Boating Coloring Book
DownloadSize 3.92 MB
Boating Safety Infographic
DownloadSize 406.45 KB
Bobber Boating Coloring Sheet
DownloadSize 463.24 KB
Bobber Boating e-card
DownloadSize 408.94 KB
Bobber Boating Poster
DownloadSize 468.96 KB
Bobber Cartoons 1-4 Application
DownloadSize 14.85 MB
Bobber Coloring Sheet 1
DownloadSize 83.42 KB
Bobber Coloring Sheet 2
DownloadSize 81.42 KB
Bobber Coloring Sheet 3
DownloadSize 69.82 KB
Bobber Coloring Sheet 4
DownloadSize 84.75 KB
Bobber Floating Puzzle
DownloadSize 1.74 MB
Bobber Trading Cards
DownloadSize 6.33 MB
Bobber Website Clubhouse Cartoon
DownloadSize 4.2 MB
California Boating Home Study Course Book - Download Version
DownloadSize 45.95 MB
Complete Smart and Safe Boating Float Plan Before You Go
DownloadSize 178.08 KB
Do Not Blow a Day at the Beach Cartoon
DownloadSize 13.24 MB
Dog Paddling Puppies Cartoon
DownloadSize 5.87 MB
How to Choose the Right Life Jacket
DownloadSize 1.39 MB
How to Complete and File a Float Plan Before You Go
DownloadSize 132.39 KB
How to Wear It Right Life Jacket Brochure
DownloadSize 1.44 MB
Kids Boating Safety Adventure on the Water Activity Book
DownloadSize 702.07 KB
Kids Boating Safety Waypoints Guide to Boating Safety Activity Book
DownloadSize 880.82 KB
Measure Pet Body for Life Jacket Sizing Guide
DownloadSize 246 KB
Rip Current Safety for Kids
DownloadSize 9.38 MB
Safe Boater Kids Boating Safety Activity Book
DownloadSize 4.21 MB
Sinker Has a Fit Cartoon
DownloadSize 11.39 MB
Types of Life Jackets
DownloadSize 438.42 KB
Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet
DownloadSize 1.37 MB
Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet Answer Sheet
DownloadSize 1.15 MB
Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book
DownloadSize 1.1 MB
Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book 2
DownloadSize 534.05 KB
Who is Your Buddy Cartoon
DownloadSize 13.79 MB
Download Boating Checklists and Water Safety Resources
ABCs of California Boating
DownloadSize 3.53 MB
Be Smart and Be Safe Guide to Boating Safety
DownloadSize 4.33 MB
Boating Safety Get Connected Resource Kit
DownloadSize 20.78 MB
Boating Safety Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
DownloadSize 2.87 MB
Choose To Boat Safely Brochure
DownloadSize 248.83 KB
Emergency Engine Cutoff Switch Boating Safety Guide
DownloadSize 9.28 MB
Environmental Boating Laws Every Recreational Boater Should Know
DownloadSize 23.61 MB
Injured While Boating Accident Report Image Poster
DownloadSize 2.06 MB
Injured While Boating Accident Report PDF Poster
DownloadSize 3.03 MB
Involved in an Accident Report Image Poster
DownloadSize 2.06 MB
Involved In An Accident Report Poster
DownloadSize 3.03 MB
Practical Suggestions for Houseboating Safety Guide
DownloadSize 4.93 MB
Protective Clothing Equipment for Operators and Passengers PWC Renter Orientation Checklist
DownloadSize 837.56 KB
Protective Clothing Equipment for Operators and Passengers PWC Renter Orientation Checklist - Spanish
DownloadSize 858.13 KB
Safe Boating Resource Kit
DownloadSize 1.92 MB
Safe Boating Tips for Anglers, Hunters, and Campers
DownloadSize 1.84 MB
Safe Boating Winterizing Checklist
DownloadSize 135.5 KB
Saved by the Beacon Emergency Communication Device Efficient and Effective Rescue Press Kit
DownloadSize 4.52 MB
Winter and Spring Storm Boating Safety Information
DownloadSize 137.33 KB
Download Water Safety Activities
AquaSmart Boating and Water Activity Book
DownloadSize 20.83 MB
Boating Safety Infographic
DownloadSize 406.45 KB
Complete Smart and Safe Boating Float Plan Before You Go
DownloadSize 178.08 KB
Danny the Dolphin and Starring Water Safety Activity Book
DownloadSize 2.69 MB
How to Choose the Right Life Jacket
DownloadSize 1.39 MB
How to Complete and File a Float Plan Before You Go
DownloadSize 132.39 KB
How to Wear It Right Life Jacket Brochure
DownloadSize 1.44 MB
Kids Boating Safety Adventure on the Water Activity Book
DownloadSize 702.07 KB
Kids Boating Safety Waypoints Guide to Boating Safety Activity Book
DownloadSize 880.82 KB
Measure Pet Body for Life Jacket Sizing Guide
DownloadSize 246 KB
Rip Current Safety for Kids
DownloadSize 9.38 MB
Safe Boater Kids Boating Safety Activity Book
DownloadSize 4.21 MB
Types of Life Jackets
DownloadSize 438.42 KB
Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet
DownloadSize 1.37 MB
Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet Answer Sheet
DownloadSize 1.15 MB
Water Safety Activity Booklet
DownloadSize 1.3 MB
Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book
DownloadSize 1.1 MB
Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book 2
DownloadSize 534.05 KB
Water Safety Fun Book
DownloadSize 778.9 KB
Download Pool Safely Activities
Adventures of Splish and Splash - Pool Safely Interactive App
DownloadSize 4.75 MB
Inflatable Plastic Pools Safety
DownloadSize 1009.98 KB
Pool Safely Activity Coloring Poster
DownloadSize 279.44 KB
Pool Safely Bookmark
DownloadSize 446.06 KB
Pool Safely Bookmark in Spanish
DownloadSize 441.39 KB
Pool Safely Communications Toolkit
DownloadSize 5.89 MB
Pool Safely Drowning Fact Sheet
DownloadSize 38.84 KB
Pool Safely Fans in Spanish
DownloadSize 2.37 MB
Pool Safely Kids’ Corner Coloring Sheet
DownloadSize 217.07 KB
Pool Safely Poster
DownloadSize 507.51 KB
Pool Safely Splish and Splash Tattoos
DownloadSize 677.14 KB
Pool Safely Splish and Splash Tattoos in Spanish
DownloadSize 562.75 KB
Pool Safely Water Watcher
DownloadSize 1003.97 KB
Video Pool Safely in Spanish
DownloadSize 34.38 MB
Download Emergency Learning Activities
100-Year Flood It's All About Chance
DownloadSize 1.78 MB
2-1-1 An Easy-to-remember Three-digit Number to Obtain Free Services and Resources
DownloadSize 617.97 KB
4 Seasons of Safety Tour
DownloadSize 27.73 MB
911 Call for Emergency Learning and Safety Activity Book
DownloadSize 14.99 MB
All-Hazards Preparedness Guide
DownloadSize 981.67 KB
Child Safety Coloring and Activity Book
DownloadSize 7.25 MB
Emergency Financial First Aid Kit
DownloadSize 9.4 MB
Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - Spanish
DownloadSize 8.69 MB
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area
DownloadSize 81.96 KB
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area - Spanish
DownloadSize 99.19 KB
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area Infographic
DownloadSize 503.84 KB
Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment in a Disaster Area Infographic - Spanish
DownloadSize 529.63 KB
Emergency Safeguarding Your Valuables Facilitator Activity Guide
DownloadSize 58.04 KB
Emergency Savings Fitness Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future
DownloadSize 972.16 KB
FAQ What is a Watch
DownloadSize 24.51 MB
How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher Training Video
DownloadSize 7.27 MB
Kids Injury Prevention and Safety Activity Book
DownloadSize 8.6 MB
National Park Service Definitions for Fire and Wildfire
DownloadSize 357.84 KB
Parents Prevent Lead Poisoning for Kids Coloring Book
DownloadSize 2.83 MB
Saving the Whole Family Animal Disaster Preparedness
DownloadSize 478.38 KB
Saving the Whole Family Animal Disaster Preparedness - Spanish
DownloadSize 1.65 MB
What You Need to Know About EPAP Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment
DownloadSize 194.74 KB
What You Need to Know About EPAP Emergency Prescription Assistance Program and Medical Equipment - Spanish
DownloadSize 216.82 KB
World Disaster And Emergency Preparedness Activity Guide
DownloadSize 1.62 MB
About - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approximately 37,000 dedicated Civilians and Soldiers delivering engineering services to customers in more than 130 countries worldwide.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers men and women are protecting and restoring the Nation's environment including critical efforts in the Everglades, the Louisiana coast, and along many of our Nation's major waterways. The Corps is also cleaning sites contaminated with hazardous, toxic or radioactive waste and material in an effort to sustain the environment.
