CA DBW Accepting Applications for Grant Funding for Waterway Safety Initiatives

The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is accepting grant applications to help local public entities enhance safety on California’s waterways, and protect them from abandoned and unwanted vessels. The application period for the grant programs, Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment (BSEE) and Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange (SAVE), is open from March 16 through April 16. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the grant guidelines and participate in an applicant workshop.

“With more than four million motorized and non-motorized recreational boaters on California’s waterways, it is important to support local public entities in enhancing public safety and protecting the environment,” said Ramona Fernandez, DBW’s Acting Deputy Director. “Together we can provide more positive experiences to the recreational boating community.”

In 2019, DBW awarded 16 BSEE grants totaling $1.1 million and 30 SAVE grants totaling $2.6 million. This year, a total of $3.75 million in grant funding is available to eligible applicants.

The BSEE Grant Program has up to $1 million available for local government agencies that can demonstrate a need for patrol boats, engines, personal watercraft, search and rescue equipment, and patrol and diving equipment. These competitive grants are to augment existing local resources and not to fully fund boating safety and enforcement patrol units. The U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety Program provides BSEE grant funding.

The SAVE Grant Program has up to $2.75 million is available to local public agencies statewide to receive surrendered vessels and to remove and dispose of derelict vessels on coastal and inland waterways. Grant funding comes from the Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Fund. DBW awards grants on a competitive basis to eligible public agencies based on demonstrated need.

Applications for both grant programs must be submitted to DBW through its Online Grant Application System (OLGA). Prior to applying, the division encourages new applicants to view a 45-minute webinar that provides detailed instructions on creating an account in OLGA, as well as navigating the application system. Additionally, DBW is hosting a two-hour workshop for each grant program to help applicants write competitive applications.

Below is detailed information on the workshops:

BSEE Workshop, April 2, 10 a.m. to noon at DBW Headquarters, One Capitol Mall, Suite 500, Sacramento. For more information contact Johanna Naughton via email or (916) 327-1826.

SAVE Workshop, April 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at DBW Headquarters, One Capitol Mall, Suite 500, Sacramento. For more information contact Ron Kent via email or (916) 327-1825.