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.
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
The Basics of Boating with Your Pet:
- Boating with Pets
- Tips for Taking Your Dog Boating
- What You Need to Know Before Boating with Your Dog
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.
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.
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
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.
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 AquaSmart Boating and Water Activity Book Arizona Kids I Love To Go Boating Coloring Book Boating Safety Infographic Bobber Boating Coloring Sheet Bobber Boating e-card Bobber Boating Poster Bobber Bookmarks 
Bobber Cartoons 1-4 Application Bobber Coloring Sheet 1 Bobber Coloring Sheet 2 Bobber Coloring Sheet 3 Bobber Coloring Sheet 4 Bobber Floating Puzzle Bobber Trading Cards 
Bobber Website Clubhouse Cartoon California Boating Home Study Course Book - Download Version Complete Smart and Safe Boating Float Plan Before You Go Do Not Blow a Day at the Beach Cartoon Dog Paddling Puppies Cartoon How to Choose the Right Life Jacket How to Complete and File a Float Plan Before You Go How to Wear It Right Life Jacket Brochure Kids Boating Safety Adventure on the Water Activity Book Kids Boating Safety Waypoints Guide to Boating Safety Activity Book Measure Pet Body for Life Jacket Sizing Guide Rip Current Safety for Kids Safe Boater Kids Boating Safety Activity Book Sinker Has a Fit Cartoon Take Along Bobber Types of Life Jackets Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet Answer Sheet Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book 2 Who is Your Buddy Cartoon Download Boating Checklists and Water Safety Resources
ABCs of California Boating Be Smart and Be Safe Guide to Boating Safety Boating Safety Get Connected Resource Kit Boating Safety Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Choose To Boat Safely Brochure Emergency Engine Cutoff Switch Boating Safety Guide Environmental Boating Laws Every Recreational Boater Should Know 
Injured While Boating Accident Report Image Poster Injured While Boating Accident Report PDF Poster Involved in an Accident Report Image Poster Involved In An Accident Report Poster Practical Suggestions for Houseboating Safety Guide Protective Clothing Equipment for Operators and Passengers PWC Renter Orientation Checklist Protective Clothing Equipment for Operators and Passengers PWC Renter Orientation Checklist - Spanish Safe Boating Resource Kit Safe Boating Tips Safe Boating Tips for Anglers, Hunters, and Campers Safe Boating Winterizing Checklist Saved by the Beacon Emergency Communication Device Efficient and Effective Rescue Press Kit Winter and Spring Storm Boating Safety Information Download Water Safety Activities
AquaSmart Boating and Water Activity Book Boating Safety Infographic Complete Smart and Safe Boating Float Plan Before You Go Danny the Dolphin and Starring Water Safety Activity Book How to Choose the Right Life Jacket How to Complete and File a Float Plan Before You Go How to Wear It Right Life Jacket Brochure Kids Boating Safety Adventure on the Water Activity Book Kids Boating Safety Waypoints Guide to Boating Safety Activity Book Measure Pet Body for Life Jacket Sizing Guide Rip Current Safety for Kids Safe Boater Kids Boating Safety Activity Book Types of Life Jackets Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet Water Safe Passage Activity Sheet Answer Sheet Water Safety Activity Booklet Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book Water Safety Coloring and Activity Book 2 Water Safety Fun Book Download Pool Safely Activities
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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.
