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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007
of state government. It was the first time such diversity had been seen
in these leadership roles. “Governor Brown really opened the doors for
women and minorities,” says Marty. “It was a wonderful opportunity
and an exciting time.”
Once on the job, Marty had to prove her competence – to herself
and to her skeptics – and show people she could not only handle
the position, but accomplish good things for California boaters. She
remembers traveling the state making presentations to largely male
audiences, including yacht clubs, commissions, city councils, and
service groups. She talked about more than just boating safety, which
had been Cal Boating’s standard fare for many years. Marty impressed
people with her enthusiasm and her knowledge of the department’s
loan programs and grants, and she began to get positive comments
1994
1995
Cal Boating
sponsors legislation
to provide grants to
public agencies for
construction and
installation of vessel
sewage pumpout
facilities.
Education Unit
revises elementary
school aquatic safety
curriculums and
debuts AquaSMART
series, expanding
reach through eighth
grade.
Cal Boating wins
National Safe
Boating Council’s
1996 National
Boating Education
Advancement Award
for its AquaSMART
series.
1996
Anglers are shown
wearing over-the-
shoulder inflatable
life jackets.
These
innovative life jackets
are light-weight and
comfortable – perfect
for fishing.
Cal Boating debuts its
first Internet website at
www.dbw.ca.gov, offering
information on boating
safety and education,
boating access, boating
law, environmental issues,
and Cal Boating programs.