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Order Publications Online

DBW is pleased to offer publications and educational materials free of charge. The materials cover access to the recreational waterways of California, as well as boating rules and safety. Please click on the link below to be directed to our online ordering system.

View Reports, Posters, and Publications

Below is a list of our publications which are available for viewing.

Ordering Information
To order single copies or quantities:

Complete the online order form (recommended).
Call (888) 326-2822.
Send your request to:

Department of Boating and Waterways
2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815-3888

Please state the title of the publication and the quantity desired, along with your name, address, and telephone number. Orders are limited to California residents only. Please Note: There is a limit of 2 per item for the general public. Larger quantities are available for approved partners.

Some of these publications require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them properly.

Publications List

Alphabetical Listing Expand

Categorical Listing Collapse

ABCs of California Boating
Explains state boating laws and regulations for equipment, rules of the road, vessel operation, accident reporting, and aids to navigation. Includes an accident report form and float plan (in English or Spanish).
Aquatic Invasive Species
- Boat Cleaning Guide Book
- Hydrilla, Boater Alert
  Explains what hydrilla is and tells boaters how they can avoid spreading this aquatic pest from one waterway to another.
- Quagga / Mussel Card
- Quagga / Mussel Card (Spanish)
- Quagga / Mussel Poster
Boating Instruction Centers
Clean Boating
- Clean Boating Habits
- Clean Boating Posters
  These clean boating posters address topics such as fueling, sewage, boat cleaning and maintenance, oil and hazardous waste and trash and marine debris management. The posters promote clean boating practices to ensure that safe and clean boating is part of the boaters' experience enjoying California waterways.
- Clean Vessel Act
  Explains requirements and laws regarding the Clean Vessel Act.
- Environmental Boating Laws Every Recreational Boater Should Know
  This brochure contains information on Environmental Boating Laws for fuel and oil, sewage, dispersants, hazardous waste, plastic and marine debris. Every recreational boater should ensure that clean boating is part of their experience of enjoying California waterways.
- Federal Marine Sanitation Device Regulations
  Describes Federal regulations and includes a list of no discharge areas in California.
- San Francisco Clean Boating Map
  Produced by the City and County of San Francisco Department of the Environment, the California Department of Boating and Waterways, and the California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean & Green Program.
Consumer Protection
- How to Buy a Used Boat
  The pleasant way to purchase your pleasure craft.
- State Water Project Recreation Facilities
  Contains information about many of the State Water Project recreational facilities in California, including amenity listings, contact information, and location. For more information on this publication please contact the Department of Water Resources at (800) 272-8869 or write to DWR, Publications Unit, 1416 9th Street, Room #338, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Fundamentals of Boating
- ABCs of California Boating
  Explains state boating laws and regulations for equipment, rules of the road, vessel operation, accident reporting, and aids to navigation. Includes an accident report form and float plan (in English or Spanish).
- Boat Launching Facilities - Design Handbook
- Boating and Alcohol
  Explains the effects of alcohol when combined with the stresses of boating. Includes an alcohol consumption and blood-alcohol chart (in English or Spanish).
- Carbon Monoxide
  Includes required decals.
  Boaters: Protect Yourself from this silent Killer!
- Carbon Monoxide:Stay Out of the Carbon Monoxide Zone!
  Comic book which educates school-age children about marine carbon monoxide.
- Classes
  California boating safety class gives the who, what, where, when, why and how of boating safety classes.
- Course
  California boating safety course is a 60-page workbook you can study at home at your own pace. Covers state and federal laws, rules of the road, and much more. Take the optional 50-question test and send it to us for your official certificate of completion.
- Drowning Prevention Checklist
  Offers pool and spa owners a checklist of pointers to help prevent child drownings (in English or Spanish).
- Fire Extinguishers
  Describes the various types of Coast Guard-approved extinguishers for motor boats and the laws regarding them.
- Hunters and Anglers
  Recommends safety precautions for people who use small boats to hunt and fish.
- Lakes and Reservoirs
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- Life Jackets and the Law
  Describes the various types of lifesaving devices, and the number and types required to be carried on board.
- Maintenance Checklist
  This 17-page booklet will help those who conduct boat cleaning, repair, and maintenance activities outside of a boat repair facility to identify ways to prevent pollutants from entering California waterways.
- Marine Security
  Provides tips on protecting your boat and gear from theft.
- Paddle Craft
  Covers the required equipment and recommended safety practices for uing canoes, kayaks, and inflatable rafts.
- Personal Watercraft (PWC)
  Contains information on boating safety classes, required and recommended equipment, the rules of the road, registration, and restrictions on speed, noise and age (in English or Spanish).
- Personal Water Craft Online Safety Course
  Offers tips on how to operate PWC's in a safe and legal manner.
- Quiet Boating For Everyone
  Provides information on the state's motorboat noise laws, and how to be a quiet boater.
- Safety Card
  Boating safety card illustrates the rules of the road, the California Waterway Marking system, weather advisories, and recognized distress signals, on a 5" by 8" card.
- Safety Rules for Boating Sticker
  Displays the rules of the road on a self-adhesive sticker.
- Towing Sports
  Covers the legal requirements, restrictions and safety practices for towing sports.
- Towing Tips for Trailer Sailors
  Explains the proper use and maintenance of a recreational boat trailer.
- Windsurfing
  Offers safety and weather flag advice, as well as a hypothermia chart.
Laws
- 2012 California Boating Law
  Contains the boating laws and regulations of the State of California including excerpts from the Harbors and Navigation, Corporations, Education, Fish and Game, Government, Health and Safety, Penal, Public Resources, Vehicle, and Water Codes, the California Code of Regulations and the Federal Inland Navigation Rules as they relate to boating. All changes through January 2012 are included.
- ABCs of California Boating
  Explains state boating laws and regulations for equipment, rules of the road, vessel operation, accident reporting, and aids to navigation. Includes an accident report form and float plan (in English or Spanish).
- Boating Under the Influence Information Card
  Lists legal penalties for boating under the influence.
- Environmental Boating Laws Every Recreational Boater Should Know
  This brochure contains information on Environmental Boating Laws for fuel and oil, sewage, dispersants, hazardous waste, plastic and marine debris. Every recreational boater should ensure that clean boating is part of their experience of enjoying California waterways.
- Marine Pollution Laws
  Covers state and federal laws governing the disposal of plastic debris and other garbage in the ocean, marine sanitation, and the use of anti-fouling paint.
- Vessel Repair Law
Marina Berthing Facilities - Design Guidelines
DBW just published the 2005 edition of this invaluable resource for marina planners and designers. It provides technical assistance in the development of California public marinas.
Map & Guides
- American River (North and Middle Forks) – Boating Trail Guide
  Covers the North Fork from Iowa Hill Bridge to Lake Clementine and the Middle Fork from Oxbow Put-In to Mammoth Bar. Includes a map and white water class system chart.
- American River (South Fork) – Boating Trail Guide
  Features a public access map of the South Fork. Includes information of the history, plant life, and local regulations of the area.
- American River Parkway – Boating Trail Guide
  Includes safety hints and a map for paddling the lower American River from Nimbus Dam to the Sacramento River.
- Chart Agents List
  Lists agents authorized to sell nautical charts and related National Ocean Service publications.
- Colorado River
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- Colorado River (Blythe to Imperial Dam)
  Boating Trail Guide – Features 11 maps.
- Colorado River (Davis Dam to Parker Dam)
  Boating Trail Guide – Features 5 maps.
- Colorado River, Tri-State Boating Safety Guide
  Provides information on the boating laws in Arizona, California and Nevada as well as recommended boating safety practices for the Colorado River.
- Delta
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- Delta Boaters' Pumpout and Map Guide
  A map with the locations of pumpouts throughout the Delta. Includes information about clean boating including equipment, practices and legal requirements.
- Delta Map for Recreational Boating
  The purpose of this map is to help boaters and the general public conveniently find environmental services within the central and southern areas of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Delta (Delta).
- Kern River, A Boating Trail Guide to the
  Includes a map of the river and information and safety, logistics, camping and more.
- Lake Tahoe
  Boating Safety and Environmental Hints
- Merced River, A Boating Trail Guide to the
  Features a map of the Merced River Canyon. Includes information on the history, wildlife, and fishing and fire regulations of the area.
- Monterey – SLO – Santa Barbara, Vessel Pumpout Locator Card.
  Maps show the location of vessel sewage pumpout facilities and pumpout stations.
- Morro Bay
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- MSD's: Shipshape Sanitation, MSD's and Pumpouts
  Explains the laws regarding vessel sewage discharge, and the importance of proper disposal.
- Northern Coast
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- Sacramento River
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- Sacramento River Bend Map and Guide
- Sacramento River (Redding to Red Bluff)
  Boating Trail Guide - Includes a map, and information on the history and wildlife of the area.
- Sacramento River (Woodson Bridge to Colusa)
  Boating Trail Guide – Features a map with a chart that predicts your rafting trip time according to the river flow in cubic-feet per second.
- Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta Recreational Boating Map
  Produced by Keep the Delta Clean with the California Department of Boating and Waterways, and the California Coastal Commission.
- Salton Sea
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- San Francisco Bay
  Includes historical and safety information, including information on the U.S. Coast Guard's vessel traffic Routing system and precautionary zone; weather; safety equipment; what to do when you need assistance; and more.
- San Francisco Bay Boaters' Pumpout and Map Guide
  A map with locations of pumpouts throughout the San Francisco Bay. Includes information about clean boating including equipment, practices and legal requirements.
- Shipshape Sanitation, MSD's and Pumpouts
  Explains the laws regarding vessel sewage discharge, and the importance of proper disposal.
- Smith River - Boating Trail Guide
  Covers all the navigable waters of this Wild and Scenic river to the ocean.
- Southern Coast
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- Tomales Bay
  Safe Boating Hints Series
- Trinity River, A Boating Trail Guide to the
- Tuolumne River – Boating Trail Guide
  Covers the Tuolumne from Don Pedro Dam to Yosemite National Park
Teachers & Kids
- AquaSMART Activity book for Kids
  24-page coloring-and-activities book on water and boating safety (in English or Spanish).
- AquaSMART Lessons
- Posters
Miscellaneous
- Publications From Other Agencies
  Homeland Security And The Boaters Role English - Espanol