Boating Requirements

In 2024, all California boaters 60 years of age and younger, who are operating a motorized vessel on Big Bear Lake are required to have a valid California Boater Card.

All vessels on Big Bear Lake are required to have enough personal floatation devices (life jackets) for every person on board. This law applies to hand-launch vessels as well.

All boaters under the age of 13 must be wearing a PFD at all times when the vessel is under way.

All motorized vessels 16 feet in length and over much have a type IV throwable personal floatation device (pictured above) immediately accessible.

All vessels on Big Bear Lake are required to carry some form of sound making device. A horn, whistle, air horn, or bell are all acceptable forms of sound making device.

All motorized vessels are required to carry a Type B-I Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher unless an approved, fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery spaces.*

All vessels that operate between sunset and sunrise or during times of restricted visibility must have navigation and anchor lights displayed.

Navigation lights are the green and red lights on the bow of a vessel. Red shows the port side of the vessel and green shows the starboard side of the vessel.

Anchor lights are a 360° visible white light on the stern of a vessel.

A red or orange flag no smaller than 12in x 12in is required when towing a person in watersports. The flag must be raised and visible in the following situations:

1. The skier/wakeboarder/rider is in the water preparing to ski/wakeboard/tube.

2. The skier/wakeboarder/rider has fallen back into the water and is no longer being towed.

3. The tow line is extended from the vessel.

4. Any towing equipment (ski, board, skate, etc.) is in the water in the vicinity of the boat.

When the water ski flag is displayed, boaters in the vicinity must exercise extreme caution.

All registered vessels which operate on inland waterways (fresh water) must have a Mussel Fee Sticker displayed alongside their California Registration. To get this sticker, go to dmv.ca.gov/MusselFee or visit a DMV field office.