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 Department of Homeland Security US Coast Guard awarded the Vermont Department of Public Safety $990,839 on October 1, 2025, under the Boating Safety Financial Assistance program (CFDA 97.012) to support the State Recreational Boating Safety Program through September 30, 2028.

The program funds boating safety education, law enforcement, and emergency response across Vermont. Eligible uses include providing facilities, equipment, and supplies for boating safety education and enforcement; training personnel in boating safety skills and law enforcement; public boating safety education programs; 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; establishing and maintaining waterway markers and navigation aids; and providing vessel numbering and titling programs.

Vermont Department of Public Safety passed funds to two sub-recipients: the Vermont Agency of Transportation (sub-award obligated June 22, 2026) and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife (sub-award obligated June 9, 2026), each delivering boating safety activities within their operational domains. The Vermont Agency of Transportation administers public access site improvements and safety infrastructure statewide, while Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife manages fishing and boating access areas, including approximately 200 public access points open 24/7 for recreational activities.

Place of performance is Vermont.

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.