Delaware Boating Handbook Table of Contents

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• Boater Education
• Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Information
• Homeland Security

Boating Basics: Before Going Out

• Vessel Length Classes
• Vessel Capacity
• Filing a Float Plan
• Fueling Your Vessel
• Trailering Your Vessel Safely
• Be a Responsible Operator or Owner
• Mandatory Boating Education and Age Restrictions
• Preventing Marine Theft
• Check and Maintain Before Going Out

Boating Basics: On the Water

• Encountering Other Vessels
• Navigation Rules
• Nighttime Navigation
• U.S. Aids to Navigation System
• Non-Lateral Markers
• Diver-Down Flags
• Tides on Coastal Waters
• Winds and Currents
• Weather Emergencies
• Other Boating Emergencies
• Carbon Monoxide
• Alcohol and Drugs
• Enforcement

Boating Basics: Specifically for PWCs

• Steering and Stopping a PWC
• Ignition Safety Switches
• Courtesy When Encountering Other Vessels
• Reboarding a Capsized PWC
• Environmental Considerations

Boating Basics: Environmental Considerations

• Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances
• Discharge of Waste
• Discharge of Trash
• Help Protect the Boating Environment

It’s the Law: Delaware Boating Regulations

• BR-1 General
• BR-2 Definitions
• Vessel Registration and Numbering - Hull Identification
• Buying a Vessel
• Registering Your Vessel
• BR-3 Registration, Numbering, and Marking of Vessels
• BR-4 Casualty Reporting System Requirements
• BR-5 Water Skiing
• BR-6 Vessel Speed
• BR-7 Negligent and Grossly Negligent Operation of a Vessel
• BR-8 Termination of Unsafe Use of a Vessel
• BR-9A Minimum Required Equipment for Vessels Using State Waters
• Fire Extinguisher Equipment
• Backfire Flame Control
• Ventilation
• Whistle and Bells
• Visual Distress Signals

Part C - Minimum Required Equipment for Recreational-Type Vessels

• Personal Flotation Devices
• Fire-Extinguishing Equipment Required

Part D - Life-Saving Equipment for Commercial Commercial Vessels Not Documented

• Life Preservers and Other Life-Saving Equipment Required
• BR-10 Boat Ramps and Parking Lots Administered by Division
• BR-11 Navigation Lights
• BR-12 Anchoring and Obstructing Navigation

Title 23 - Navigation and Waters

• Chapter 21 - Motorboats
• Chapter 22 - Boating Safety
• Chapter 23 - Operation of a Vessel or Boat While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs

Other Information

• Authorized Sales Outlets - Delaware Boat Registration
• Authorized Sales Outlets - Ramp Certificates
• Delaware Fish and Wildlife Facilities Guide
• Delaware Fishing License Information

Charts and Checklists

• Pre-Departure Checklist
• Engine Maintenance Checklist
• VHF Frequencies Broadcasting NOAA Weather Reports
• VHF Channels for Recreational Boaters
• Schedule of Fees to Register Your Vessel
• U.S. Coast Guard Minimum Requirements For Motorboats
• Required Equipment Checklist for Delaware