The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to stay safe while recreating on the water the season.  Boating safety education is part of the mission of the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Boating Safety Unit. The 2018 boating season is upon us with warmer weather forecasted.  The nice weather will draw citizens outside to do water related activities.

Both agencies have free safety information available for the boating community at the Shasta County Sheriff’s Boating Safety Unit Office at Bridge Bay Marina or the main Sheriff’s Office building at 300 Park Marina Circle or by visiting DBW’s website www.dbw.ca.gov.  The free safety information available is the ABCs of Boating booklet, Boating Under the Influence cards, Carbon Monoxide brochures, water safety activity books for kids and a Course for Safe Boating.

The Course for Safe Boating, is a home study course and is one of several courses that meets the education requirement for the new California Boater Card program that went into effect January, 1 2018. Now all boat operators between the ages of 16-20 years of age will be required to have a Boaters Education Card in their possession while operating a vessel on the waterways in California.  For more information on the new mandatory boater education requirement visit www.californiaboatercard.com.

View full press release for additional boating safety information: Safe Boating Message 2018 boating season