California Boater ID Card
As of January 1, 2025, the card is required for all motorized vessel operators, regardless of age. By 2025, all persons who operate on California waters will be required to have one. The lifetime card fee is $10. The lost card replacement fee is $10. The card is issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). Once DBW has received your application, proof of education and payment, you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email. You should receive your official boater card by mail within 30 days from the time the application was approved.
In California, the fine for operating a boat without a Boater Card is between $100 and $500, depending on the number of previous convictions. Fines for Boater Card violations First offense: Up to $100 Second offense: Up to $250 Third or subsequent offense: Up to $500 Other penalties for Boater Card violations
Four Legged Crew Members…
Just a friendly reminder that dogs must be kept on leashes at all times, whether you are on the docks or walking around the property. Waste must also be picked up immediately, and if you are on the dock a quick hose down is a good idea, too… Not only is this a leash and waste law, but it keeps our property beautiful and all the tenants happy. Since 2004 we have provided doggy waste bags free for our tenants to use. We are advocates for responsible pet owners and continuously remind our tenants to do the right thing. If you see someone not picking up after their
furry friends please let us know. The Harbormaster’s Office always has dog biscuits!
Information Update
If you have changed your address or phone number, please contact the Harbor Office to provide us with the new information. It is very important that we are able to contact you, especially in the event of an emergency with your vessel.
Vacant Slip ≠ Available Slip
If you see that your neighbor is gone for the day, or that a slip has been empty for quite some time, do not pull into that slip. An empty slip does not mean it’s empty. One tenant did this because he knew that his neighbor was on vacation and would not be back for a week, so he put his dinghy in his neighbor’s slip. What he did not know, was that the tenant began to experience engine trouble and decided to cut his trip short. As he began the approach to his slip, one engine down, he saw that someone had tied their dinghy up in his slip. What was already a stressful situation then became dangerous, as no one was there to move the dinghy, and the tenant did not have full control of the boat. Another situation that we’ve run into is one of our tenants told his friend that Grand Marina had a vacant slip available: In fact, there was one right next to him that would be opened for weeks, and that he should just bring his boat in and then ask about guest docking. The friend brought his boat in, but what neither knew was that while the neighbor was out of the marina, he had contacted the office to sublease his slip. A guest that the marina had assigned to the slip was unable to get in because the slip was occupied, causing an embarrassment for the office and trouble for everyone involved. Technically, any boat that goes into a marina or slip without permission is trespassing. It also is a dangerous, irresponsible practice.
Shop Local!
As you ready your vessel for the season, keep in mind all the great services you can get without leaving the marina. Canvas, sails, chandlery, paint, cabinetry, The Boatyard, stainless steel fabrication, blacksmithing, ornamental glass, ceramics, electronics, plumbing, tank & bilge cleaning & oil changes, even an old school sign painter/gold leafer/ glass puller. Stop by the office and we’ll happily give you contact information.
Keep Your Keys to Yourself
We would like to ask that our berthers not loan gate keys out to people working on their boats. This is for your safety and the safety of your fellow berthers. The Harbor Office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday-Saturday. Boat workers should obtain dock keys directly from the office.
