143035_DBW Course_r3

Chapter 3 X Vessel Operation

f Introduction

Photo courtesy of CSU Long Beach Sailing Association

Hear that? The water is calling you! The California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) thanks you for taking the time to learn about the state’s recreational boating rules. This coursebook aims to provide the basics of boating safety to you, the boater on California’s waterways. Accident prevention promotes confident and enjoyable experiences. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN This course will teach you: f Personal safety Hear that? The water is calling you!

Photo courtesy of CSU Long Beach Sailing Association

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN This course will teach you: f Personal safety f Basic boating guidelines f Boating law and rules of the road f Basic operation of a variety of vessels f Accident prevention and rescue You’ll also develop the skills and knowledge to make the most of your adventure on California’s waterways. f Basic boating guidelines f Boating law and rules of the road f Basic operation of a variety of vessels Accident prevention and rescue You’ll also develop the skills and knowledge to make the most of your adventure on California’s waterways.

No matter where you boat in California, a water adventure awaits you—each one as big and unique as the state itself. It can be as majestic as paddling a kayak around San Francisco Bay within view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Or as heart–thumping as riding the raging flows of the Lower Kern. You can canoe the quiet might of the lower American River in fall, or fish the mountain splendor of Lake Almanor. Something wilder? Make waves on a personal watercraft at Lake Perris. Getting away? Set sail with friends on the crystal Pacific Ocean out of Mission Bay. So many adventures—all a lot more fun for you and everyone else when you learn how to boat safely and confidently, and prevent accidents. This course will cover the basics to show you how. Play It Safe Almost one million pleasure craft are registered in California and more than four million boaters including human-powered boat owners. That’s a lot of Californians having a lot of adventures. Unfortunately, some boaters will get hurt and die. California boating accidents for the five-year period between 2016 and 2020 totaled 2,629 and caused 217 deaths. There were 1,244 injuries reported beyond first aid, and over $23 million in reported property damage. The good news—boaters can prevent many of these accidents by learning safety and using common sense. Learning how to protect the state’s natural and cultural resources is also important. The 1,200 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, thousands of miles of inland waterways and hundreds of lakes are the a cestral reas of Calif rnia Nativ American Tribes. These majestic and unique waterways now used for recreation remain critically important to the Indigenous peoples of California today. Whether boating within view of the Golden Gate Bridge or riding the raging flows of the Lower Kern River, it is important to recreate responsibly and value California’s natural and cultural resources. Let’s get started. So many adventures—all a lot more fun for you and everyone else when you learn how to boat safely and confidently, and prevent accidents. This course will cover the basics to show you how. Play It Safe Almost one million pleasure craft are registered in California and more than four million boaters including human-powered boat owners. That’s a lot of Californians having a lot of adventures. Unfortunately, some boaters will get hurt and die. California boating accidents for the five-year period between 2016 and 2020 totaled 2,629 and caused 217 deaths. There were 1,244 injuries reported beyond first aid, and over $23 million in reported property damage. The good news—boaters can prevent many of these accidents by learning safety and using common sense.

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California Course for Safe Boating