Welcome Aboard! The Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife's Office of Boating Education is pleased by your interest in safe boating on our waters. Our purpose is to provide necessary education to meet the needs of the boating public and fulfill the requirements of Delaware’s mandatory education requirements.
Delaware conducts several boating safety education courses for schools, private organizations, clubs, and the public. Boating education teaches boaters to be safe, knowledgeable, and responsible. With more and more people enjoying the ocean, lakes and rivers every year, it is important, for everyone, that boaters educate themselves on boating skills and seamanship. The program also provides a forum through which students, parents, faculty and Enforcement Agents can become acquainted with the community’s youth.
Our mission is to assist all individuals in developing awareness, skills, and commitment to safe, responsible behavior and constructive actions. Our goals are for students to be aware of state laws regarding safety violations and how to prevent violations from happening, the role of the Enforcement Section in society, and to review ethical issues in a classroom setting.
What We Offer
The Office of Boating Education will provide volunteer instructors to private and non-profit organizations, special interest groups and public/ private schools at no cost. Materials and any educational aids needed for the programs are also provided free of charge.
Mandatory Boat Education
Effective Jan. 1, 1994, successful completion of a boating safety course is mandatory for persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1978, to operate a boat. (NOTE: Personal watercraft are boats, too.) Classes are offered statewide.
Grades K-3
Water Safety Presentation (30 minutes)
This program can accommodate up to 200 students per session, or a classroom of 30. This includes a basic water safety and life jacket discussion, review of the water safety-coloring book, and a 7-minute video entitled "Better Safe than Sorry."
Grades 4-8
Water Safety (25 Minutes)
This program can accommodate up to 200 students per session or classroom. It includes a 15 minute video, basics on water safety, life jacket demonstration, and a discussion about the ‘"ABC’s of Water and Boating Safety."
Grades 3-6
Life jacket demonstration. Class-size: 10-30 students. <USidekicks – Boating and Water Safety workbook, approximately 1 hour to complete. Materials needed: Scissors, tape, and pencils.
Attention Elementary Teachers!
The Office of Boating Education and the Delaware Safety Council have created a "Do it Yourself" Awareness Package with hopes of educating young children in boating and water safety issues. This program is a great way to teach children statewide water safety, and can be used for special projects for which all classroom materials will be furnished at no cost. This program is perfect for the April and May months because children will be thinking about boating and swimming activities during the summer break. If this information saves just one life, the effort from all of us will definitely be worth it.
Grades 7-12
Fatal Vision Program demonstrates the important tool (Fatal Vision Goggles) in the effort to reach people and educate them on the dangers of drinking alcoholic beverages and operating a boat. This program is offered to children in all schools and special events.
For More Information about Boating Safety Courses…
Please Contact Gregory Rhodes
