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Recreational Boaters

Casco Bay Flotilla's

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A Maine Boater Education Course Certificate will be required to operate motor boats on Maine's lakes and rivers starting 1 January 2024. This requirement will apply to person born on or after 1 January 1999. Maine currently does not require a Boating Safety Certificate to boat on Maine lakes, rivers and coastal waters.   For more information please click this link  

Expired Marine Flare Drop Off Event on Saturday, August 26 from 9AM to 1PM at Hamilton Marine, 197 Presumpscot St, Portland, ME parking lot. Event is co-sponsored by Coast Guard Auxiliary Casco Bay Flotilla, State Fire Marshal's Office  and Friends of Casco Bay. For more information on Flairs Disposal click on link "Take My Flairs, Please" Under Quick Links Below

America's Waterway Watch Program

 Join Waterway Watch -- The U.S. Coast Guard needs your help with Homeland Security in the marine environment.  That's why WATERWAY WATCH was established and 1-877-24 WATCH is the number to call when you see something suspicious on our waterways (Call 911 directly in the event of immediate threat or danger!).  In this post-attack atmosphere, we can no longer say, "That could never happen."  We don't know what can happen and what can't - even at a quiet marina or serene waterway.  Learn more about WATERWAY WATCH and how you can become part of the Operation Patriot Readiness III team by viewing this presentation. Click here to go to America's Waterway Watch website.

Click Here To view the America's Waterway Watch Informational Video

Life Jacket Primer

This Link will take you to a PDF document on changes to life jackets

Inflatable Life Jackets: Everything You Need To Know (9 min)

Paddlecraft Safety Information

Paddlecraft Safety Information & Videos

Paddlecraft Safety Seminars Coming soon

 

Vessel Identification Stickers for Canoe, Kayak, Rowboat or Standup Paddle Boards

For more information and to request a sticker please click here.  This is a PDF 5 slide presentation.  Last slide has ordering information.

U. S. Coast Guard APP

Click Here or on App Image in Menu area for Android and iPhone/iPad downloads

URGENT USCG MARINE SAFETY ALERT

Walter Kidde has issued a recall of 134 different models of Kidde brand fire extinguishers manufactured between January 1, 1973 and August 15, 2017, including models that were previously recalled in March 2009 and February 2015. The extinguishers were sold in red, white and silver cylinder colors and are rated as either ABC or BC.  The extinguishers were sold  nationwide online and at  brick and mortar outlets. 

The hazards associated with the recalled fire extinguishers are that they can become clogged or require excessive force to discharge and can fail to activate during a fire emergency. In addition, the nozzle can detach with enough force to pose an impact hazard.

All persons owning fire extinguishers are urged to read Coast Guard Marine Safety Alert 12-17 for additional information on the recall and how to obtain a free replacement.

All are also encouraged to check the fire extinguishers aboard your vessels, and in your vehicles and homes to determine whether they are subject to this recall.   

Additional information is available on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website

Take My Flares, Please!

Here is what you need  to do with those expired pyrotechnic flares, which the Coast Guard requires to be replaced every 3 to 4 years. Pyrotechnic flares are classified as hazardous waste, so you cannot dump them in the trash, shoot them off like fireworks, or fire them at sea (unless it’s an emergency!). So, what is a mariner to do?

The Maine’s Fire Marshal has a solution!

State Fire Marshal Joe Thomas encourages boaters to call his office at (207) 626-3870. His staff will collect and transport expired flares to an EPA-approved kiln that had been purchased to incinerate fireworks and other incendiary devices. This service is free to boaters.

The Fire Marshal's office will pick up flares during the months of May and October.  You can call that Fire Marshal's office any time to have you name added to their list. They will take your name and phone number and call you back shortly before they come out to collect the flares.

***Recently expired Flares may be kept as backup and need not be disposed of!***
*** As long as you do have the required non-expired flares on board! ***

Radio Communication For Recreational Boaters

Click Here for information on getting a MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity)

The National Safe Boating Council

Safe Boating Kidsite

USCG Office of Boating Safety

FLOTILLA FINDER USING ZIP CODE

Click Here  to find a Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla near you.

 

 

 

Coast Guard Boating Safety
Mobile App    

Click on image to go to website to download.