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Recreational Boaters

Casco Bay Flotilla's

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Maine's Marine Flair Take Back Day

Saturday, 11 April 2026 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Hosted by Maine State Fire Marshal's office and Hamilton Marine, Portland, Rockland, Searsport, Kittrery, ME & Portsmouth, NH

National Safe Boating Week

May 16-22, 2026

Operation Dry Water 2026

July 3th - 5th, 2026

Of Interest To Boaters

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice
to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the
accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders

A Maine Boater Education Course Certificate is now required to operate motor boats on all waters that come under Maine's jurisdiction including coastal waters.  This requirement will apply to person born on or after 1 January 1999. 

To Register for our Maine State approved courses "Boat America"  

Official site of the Float Plan

Boat Responsibly Safe Boating QR Code Short Cuts

For for 12 short cut QR codes for Online Resources for Boaters that you can print out and use for items listed on the page. QR code are for items like Federal, State, Tides, Weather, and other organizations.

 Expired Marine Flare

For information on Flairs Disposal click this link "Take My Flairs, Please" 

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.

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 when offered are listed Here.

 

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

 

U. S. Coast Guard APP

Or on App Image in Menu area for Android and iPhone/iPad downloads

 

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 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.

There is also usually a yeay Take Back Day usually in early spring.

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

 To find a Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla near you.

 

 

 

Coast Guard Boating Safety
Mobile App    

Click on image to go to website to download.