Question | Data |
Commercial Vessels | |
Does your state/territory regulate commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Motorized vessel carrying passengers for hire |
If you answered yes to the previous question, is your agency responsible for enforcing regulations on commercial vessels on sole state waters? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Local Law Enforcement agencies do the enforcement |
If you answered "No" to the previous question, which state agency is responsible? | The Department licenses the operators but local law enforcement agencies does the day to day enforcement |
White Water | |
Does your state regulate vessel operation in white water areas? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state regulate commercial white water operations? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Search & Rescue | |
Does your agency have a dive team? | No |
Other, please specify | |
What agency is responsible for Search and Rescue operations? | We have no centralized enforcement or SARs operations. Many counties have this responsibility, but some counties are served by volunteer S&R teams. |
What agency is responsible for victim recovery? | Local law enforcement agencies-This responsibility lies with the county where the incident occurs. |
Boating Education Requirements | |
Does your state require mandatory boating safety education for some segment of the population? | Yes |
Who is required to complete a boating education course in your state? | State law allows courts to order any boat operator that is convicted of a moving violation. Violators must take and successfully complete course |
Are only residents of your state required to complete a boating education course? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Education Exemptions | |
Are non-residents exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | Not applicabe unless they are convicted of offense |
Are U.S. Coast Guard licensed operators exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | N/A , exempt unless ordered by courts |
Are any other persons exempt from having to take a boating education course in your state? Please list. | N/A. All persons are exempt unless ordered by courts |
Exams and License/Certificate Issuance | |
Is issuance of a license/certificate dependant upon passing an exam in your state? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the passing score in your state? | 80% |
Providers of Education Courses | |
State Agency | X |
US Coast Guard Auxiliary | X |
US Power Squadrons | X |
Public School System | X |
Private Company | X |
Other, please specify | Some Boating Instruction Safety Centers |
Minors, Powerboats Personal Watercraft | |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a motor-powered vessel other than a PWC? | Yes |
Other, please specify | Applies 12-15 y.o. operating vessel with +15 h.p. |
Does your state require an adult to be on board when a minor is operating a PWC? | Yes |
Other, please specify | See number 20 above |
Minimum Ages for Education Certification | |
Does your state certify minor boaters? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
What is the minimum age someone can be certified in your state? | No minimum |
Does your state have reciprocity for accepting out of state certification of minor boaters if the certification course meets NASBLA's Education Standards? | NA no state certification of minors is required in CA. Only age requirement as specied: + 16 no supervision; 12-15 requires supervision of operating vessel with +15 h.p. |
Mandatory Boat Operator Licensing | |
Does your state require mandatory boat operator licensing? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Minimum Ages for Non-PWC Vessels | |
Does your state set a minimum age requirement to operate a motor powered vessel other than a PWC? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the required age and any other details such as horsepower rating. | Must be 16 or older to operate a motorboat of 15 HP or greater if unsupervised. Those 12-15 years of age may operate under supervision of a person 18 or older who is on board. |
Does your state set any minimum age requirements to operate a PWC? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the requirements. | Must be 16 or older to operate a motorboat of 15 HP or greater if unsupervised. Those 12-15 years of age may operate under supervision of a person 18 or older who is on board. |
Minimum Ages for Non-Powered Vessels | |
Are there any minimum age requirements in your state to operate non-powered vessels such as sailboats, canoes or kayaks? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the requirements. | Sailboats over 30' in length, must be +16 y.o. A 12-15 y.o., must have adult supervision +18 y.o. |
Education Reciprocity | |
Do you accept out-of-state boating education certificates in your state? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | No required for vessel operation in CA |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, which type of certificates do you accept? | |
Does your state honor NASBLA-approved course reciprocity for non-residents? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | All CA courses are NASBLA approved, Not required |
Wallet-Sized Certificates | |
Does your state issue wallet size boating certificate cards? | No |
Other, please specify | |
How long are education certificates/student wallet cards valid in your state? | No expiration date for boating education certificates. CA does not issue student wallet cards |
Challenge Exams | |
Does your state allow students to take a challenge exam to meet your state boating education requirement? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | CA does not have a state boating educ. requirement |
Online Courses & Proctoring | |
Does your state have any laws in place which expressly prohibit online boating safety courses? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require boating safety tests to be proctored? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require an observer to be present when pulling a skier? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require a mirror to be present when pulling a skier? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state prohibit water skiing during any specific time of the day/night? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the time(s) when skiing is prohibited. | Waterskiing is allowed between sunrise and sunset unless regulated by local ordinance |
Water Skiing | |
Does your state require a skier to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD? | Yes |
Are self-propelled skis allowed to be used in your state? | Yes |
Does your state require the use of a skier down flag? | Yes |
Describe any other water skiing restrictions in your state. | Other vessels must excercise caution when ski flag is exhibited |
Motorboat Noise | |
Is there a maximum noise level for motorboats in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please give the levels and standard used. | Vessels built on of after 1/1/93 88 dB(A) using SAE J2005 75 bB(A) using SAE J1970 86 dbA for engines manufactured before Janyary 1, 1976 84 dbA for engines manufactured on or after January 1, 1976 and before January 1, 1978 82 dbA for engines manugactured on or after January 1, 1978 |
Is there a factory muffling alteration law in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the law? | No vessel may be sold in CA if it does not come equipped with a muffler or mufling system |
Is boat noise governed by local ordinance in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the local ordinance? | Local ordinace may be stricter than state levels, e.g., may prohibit motorized vessels or restrict areas of operation |
Marine Sanitation Devices | |
Does your state prohibit Y-valve through-hull discharge in waters of state jurisdiction? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Does your state require Y-valves to be locked/closed in waters of state jurisdiction? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Marine Sanitation Devices | |
What are the penalties for misuse or failure to equip a vessel with a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | Violation of the CA Health & Safety Code, Article 4 is a misdemeanor. |
What are the penalties for illegal dumping/discharge of a Marine Sanitation Device in your state? | Violation of the CA Health & Safety Code, Article 4 is a misdemeanor. |
Personal Watercraft Operation | |
Does your state require users to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD when operating a PWC? | Yes |
Does your state require PWC rental operators to provide any instruction or education in PWC operation prior to use? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how much instruction is required? | An instructional video prepared by state is made available for groups, individulas and clubs, but not required by law |
Does your state prohibit PWC operation at any specific times? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the times. | No operation after sunset or before sunrise |
Personal Watercrafts and Skiers | |
Does your state allow PWCs to pull water skiers? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, are there any restrictions? | There is no exemption from having an observer with a ski flag that must be available for use on board the vessel. |
Personal Watercraft Restrictions | |
Is there a speed limit specific to PWCs other than slow/no wake zones in your state? | No |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the speed limit. | Must observe all local speed orfinances and state speed laws |
Is PWC operation restricted within any area or zone in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the restricted area or zone. | Local agencies may restrict by time of day, special use areas, speed limits, and sanitation and pollution control |
Are limitations imposed on wake jumping with PWCs in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe the limitations. | No wake jumping within 100 feet of the another vessel creating the wake. |
Is there a kill switch or safety lanyard requirement for PWCs in your state? | Yes |
Life Jackets | |
Which persons in your state are required to wear a PFD and under what circumstances? | Age 12 and younger on vessels less than 26 ft in length or in enclosed cabin or tethered to the mast fo a sailboat . All water-skiers and PWC operators, unless competing in sanctioned races or exhibition |
What are the penalties for violating PFD regulations in your state? | Violations are infractions, with fine of not nore than $150 |
Blood Alcohol Content | |
What is the BAC level at which a person is considered intoxicated in your state? | Recreational boat operators 0.08 BAC Minors under 21 y.o., 0.01 BAC Commercial operator 0.04 BAC |
Does your state have a lower threshold for BAC for minor boaters? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, what is the BAC level for minors? | 0.01 BAC |
Boating Under the Influence | |
Does a BUI conviction impact an offender's automobile driving privileges in any way in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are their privileges impacted? | Counts the same as a DUI copnviction with possible suspension ro revocation of operators drivers license |
BUI Saturation Patrols & Checkpoints | |
Are BUI saturation patrols utilized in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are they used? | Local boating enforcement agencies combine forces to target a specific water. This applies to both interstate and intrastate waters. |
Are BUI checkpoints utilized in your state? | Yes |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are they used? | These may be utilized by local law enforcement agencies at their discretion |
Alcohol Testing for BUI | |
Does your state allow blood tests to determine BAC or BUI? | Yes |
Does your state allow breath tests to determine BAC or BUI? | Yes |
Does your state allow urine tests to determine BAC or BUI? | Yes |
Test Usage in Criminal Evidence | |
Blood | X |
Breath | X |
Urine | X |
Field Sobriety Tests | |
Does your state require field sobriety tests to be conducted on shore? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Can refusal of a test be used against a boater in criminal prosecution in your state? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Do marine officers utilize random BUI inspections that include boarding the boat in your state? | No |
Negligent Operation of a Vessel | |
Does your state allow officers to issue citations for negligent operation of a vessel? | Yes |
Portable BUI Equipment | |
Does your state allow the use of hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment? | Yes |
Does your state allow the use of hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment to be used for probable cause? | Yes |
Does your state allow the use of hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment to be used for evidentiary purposes? | Yes |
What percentage of law enforcement officers have access to hand held or portable BUI enforcement equipment in your state? | All patrol units have access to hand held units |
Probable Cause | |
Does state law require probable cause for marine officers to stop a vessel? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Does state law require probable cause for marine officers to board a vessel? | Yes |
Other, please specify | |
Towing Distressed Vessels | |
Do marine officers utilize random safety inspections that include boarding the boat in your state? | No |
Other, please specify | |
Are marine officers allowed to tow vessels in distress in your state? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | if no towing service available or there's danger |
Are seaplanes "on the water" treated as vessels in your state? | Other, please specify |
Other, please specify | For rules of the road, not equipment/registration |
Liability Insurance | |
Does your state mandate liability insurance for boaters? | No |
On-Water Pursuits | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on on-water pursuit? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on interstate on-water pursuit? | Yes |
Transporting Subjects, Accident Victims, Guests | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting subjects? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting accident victims? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on transporting guests? | No |
Officer Safety | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on requiring officers to wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on skin care safety for officers? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on hearing safety for officers? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on back safety for officers? | No |
Towing Distressed Vessels | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on towing distressed vehicles? | No |
First Responders, First Aid, Good Samaritans, Search and Rescue | |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on being a first responder at an accident? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on the use of first aid? | No |
Does your state have a written, formal marine law enforcement policy, operational procedure or executive order on the Good Samaritan law? | Yes |