The purpose of the state recreational boating safety program is to encourage greater state participation and uniformity in boating safety efforts, and particularly to permit the states to assume the…

The U.S. Coast Guard awarded the State of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks $1,443,273 in formula grant funding for recreational boating safety on October 1, 2025, under the Boating Safety Financial Assistance program (CFDA 97.012).

The award funds statewide recreational boating safety education, law enforcement, facility maintenance, and vessel numbering programs across Mississippi. Eligible uses under the grant include providing facilities, equipment, and supplies for boating safety education and enforcement; training personnel in boating safety skills and law enforcement; delivering public boating safety education through educational programs and public school partnerships; acquiring, constructing, or repairing public access sites for recreational boaters; conducting boating safety inspections and marine casualty investigations; establishing and maintaining emergency and search-and-rescue facilities; maintaining waterway markers and navigation aids; and operating state recreational vessel numbering and titling programs.

The period of performance extends from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, with place of performance in Mississippi.

The purpose of the state recreational boating safety program is to encourage greater state participation and uniformity in boating safety efforts, and particularly to permit the states to assume the greater share of boating safety education, assistance, and enforcement activities. Federal funds provided for a state's boating safety program may be used for any of the following expenses. 1. Providing facilities, equipment, and supplies for boating safety education and law enforcement, including purchase, operation, maintenance, and repair. 2. Training personnel in skills related to boating safety and to the enforcement of boating safety laws and regulations. 3. Providing public boating safety education, including educational programs and lectures, to the boating community and the public school system. 4. Acquiring, constructing, or repairing public access sites used primarily by recreational boaters. 5. Conducting boating safety inspections and marine casualty investigations. 6. Establishing and maintaining emergency or search and rescue facilities, and providing emergency or search and rescue assistance. 7. Establishing and maintaining waterway markers and other appropriate aids to navigation. 8. Providing state recreational vessel numbering and titling programs.