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General Boating Law Information

Do I need a license to operate a boat?
In California , you do not need a license to operate a boat . Some states do require boaters to be licensed or to have taken a boating safety course, so always check with the boating law admin istrator's office in the state you plan to boat in. For contacts in other states, visit www.nasbla.org/blas.php

How old do you have to be to operate a boat?
People 16 years or older may legally operate a boat by themselves. Children 12 to 15 years old may operate a boat of less than 15 horsepower or a sailboat of less than 30 feet by themselves, and they may operate a boat of more than 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet in length if they are supervised on board by an adult.

What is the law for wearing a life jacket?
State law requires all children under 12 years old to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on board a vessel that is 26ft or less while underway. Also, anyone being towed behind a vessel (such as skiing) and anyone riding a personal watercraft must wear a life jacket.

Can I rent or borrow PFD's for my family and myself?
Cal Boating has partnered with local fire stations and the CSUS Aquatic Center to make life jackets available to the public on a loan basis. The Department has supplied each location with life jackets for children and adults. An individual or family can check out life jackets for a day or a weekend simply by completing a loan form. Look for the sign, "Life Jacket Loan Station," at participating locations. More information is located on the website at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/LifeJacket.aspx

Where can I take a boating safety class?

A judge has ordered me to take a boating safety course. What should I do?
Visit the Cal Boating website at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/BSCourses.aspx for a list of courses that meet the court requirements. You may choose to complete a Home Study Course on your own. To order a book and test form, visit http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/BoatSafeCourse.aspx or call ( 888) 326-2822.

Is it legal to drink alcohol while boating?
While it isn't illegal to drink alcohol on a boat, it is against the law to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. The blood alcohol limit for boating is the same as that for driving a car - 0.08%. If you are convicted of Boating Under the Influence (BUI), the Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend or revoke your vehicle driver's license for up to five years and you may be fined up to $1,000. More importantly, alcohol consumption by the vessel operator or passengers is a factor in approximately 25% of all fatal motorboat accidents in California.

Is there a speed limit for boats?
Some areas have speed limits, so obey all posted signs. In all cases, the speed limit is 5 mph anytime the vessel is within 100 ft of a bather or within 200 feet of a bathing beach, swimming float, diving platform or life line, passenger landing being used, or landing where boats are tied up.

Do I have to have boater's insurance?
You do not have to have boater's insurance in California . In some states there is a requirement to carry insurance, so always check with the boating law admin istrator's office in the state you plan to boat in. For contacts in other states, visit http://www.nasbla.org/blas.php

What safety equipment must I have on my boat or personal watercraft?
The carriage requirements vary depending on the size and type of boat, time of use, and number of people aboard. Consult the "ABCs of the California Boating Law" at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/pubs/ABC/reqequip.pdf for details. In general, you must carry a type B fire extinguisher, a whistle or horn, visual distress signals (flares), and all passengers must wear properly fitted PFD's.

How do I get the carbon monoxide decals that are required by law?
Cal Boating has a link to an online ordering process that you can get to by following the listed link or by visiting our website and clicking on the carbon monoxide article on the homepage. http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/codanger.aspx#decals

What are the rules for operating a personal watercraft (such as a Jet Ski)?
The laws for personal watercraft are the same as for boats, with a few exceptions:

  • Every person on board a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
  • If the personal watercraft has a lanyard cutoff switch, the operator must attach the lanyard to his or her person.
  • Personal watercraft may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.

As with other vessels, people under age 16 may not operate a personal watercraft that has more that 15 horsepower unless they are 12 to 15 years old AND supervised on board by an adult.

Am I required by law to install a kill switch on a personal watercraft?
California does not require the installation of a kill switch on personal watercraft or any other vessels used in the state. However, on vessels equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard, California law does require the operator to use it by attaching the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device, as appropriate for the specific vessel.
(Reference: Section 65537(a) of the California Harbors and Navigation Code)

Are two-stroke engines going to be "outlawed" soon?
No. But there are some lakes that have banned two-stroke engines. For more information regarding the law and a list of lakes that prohibit two-stroke engines, please see our Web site at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Environmental/TwoStroke/.

Can I get a life jacket to fit my baby?
Life jackets for infants come in one size to fit a child up to 30 pounds. They should have a head support collar and safety crotch strap. These life jackets can be found at all the same places that carry life jackets for bigger children and adults-department stores, marine supply stores and on the Internet. Many life jacket sources only carry life jackets seasonally, but marine supply stores and Internet suppliers will carry them year-round.

Is it a good idea to take my infant boating?
It is not advised to take a baby boating before they are at least six months old and they can sit up on their own. Also, babies will not be comfortable in a life jacket when they cannot sit up. A reclined infant in a life jacket will experience great discomfort from the poor fit of most infant life jackets. Once they can sit up, some of the pressure around the neck of the life jacket will be relieved.

Do I have to register my boat?
California law requires current registration of most vessels, including moored vessels, whether or not they are used. All vessels must be registered except:

  • Boats propelled manually.
  • Sailboats eight feet or less in length.
  • Ships lifeboats used solely for lifesaving.
  • Boats from out of state, registered in that state.
  • Sailboards.

How do I display the boat registration stickers and numbers?

  • Stickers must be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel three inches aft of the registration number.
  • Numbers must be placed on each side of the vessel, usually near the bow.
  • Numbers must be in plain block letters and easily read from left to right.
  • Numbers must be at least three inches high.
  • Letters must be separated from numbers with spaces or hyphens.
  • Numbers must be in contrasting color to the background and be distinctly visible.

For detailed information on vessel registration requirements, consult the "ABCs of the California Boating Law" at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/pubs/ABC/registration.pdf.

How do I find out if a boat is stolen?
Contact your local law enforcement agency.

How and when do I report a boating accident?
Boat operators or owners must make a written report of a boating accident to Cal Boating when a person dies, disappears, or is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid or when total damage to all vessels involved and other property is more than $500 or there is complete loss of a vessel. Forms are available through most Sheriff's and harbormaster's offices and many police departments or online at www.dbw.ca.gov/PDF/AccidentForms/BAR.pdf .

What steps do I need to take to get rid of an abandoned vessel?
Cal Boating provides funds to public agencies to remove, store, and dispose of abandoned, wrecked, or dismantled vessels or any other partially submerged objects which pose a substantial hazard to navigation, from navigable waterways or adjacent public property, or private property with the landowner's consent. More information is available on the website at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Funding/AWAF.aspx.

How can I get free boating publications?
You can order publications, videos, and other resources through the Department's Website at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Publications.aspx or call toll free (888) 326-2822.

Can someone come and do a presentation for our school/safety fair/event?
Please contact Gloria Sandoval, 916.263.8186 or Phaedra Bota, 916.263.8188 for availability, information or a contact reference to a local boating organization.