Dockwalkers are volunteers who are trained to engage members of the public and the boating community to adopt clean boating practices.
Dockworkers will distribute 2019 Boater Kits with educational materials and useful products for boaters.
BC STAFF
Published: March, 2019
Dockwalkers are volunteers who are trained to engage members of the public and the boating community to adopt clean boating practices. There are numerous opportunities to attend free Dockwalker trainings this year.
Dockwalkers share clean boating information with boaters and distribute 2019 Boater Kits with educational materials and useful products while visiting marinas, launch ramps, marine supply stores, boat shows and special events, like regattas, opening days and others. “Dockwalker” is only a general term because you do not need to “walk the docks” in order to talk to boaters about safety and clean boating practices.
Dockwalking is a fantastic way to interact with boaters to help keep California’s marinas, waterways and ocean clean and healthy. The training provides an overview of potential sources of boat pollution, federal and state laws, environmentally-sound boating practices, information on how to conduct Dockwalking, and an overview of the educational materials Dockwalkers will distribute.
Since 2000, more than 1,000 Dockwalkers have taught 10,000 boaters about oil, fuel, sewage, trash and marine debris prevention. Participation in the program, including the training sessions, qualifies as community service.
The program is conducted by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, the California Coastal Commission’s Boating Clean & Green Program, and the Bay Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadrons, Lake Berryessa Partnership, Save Our Shores and many more organizations.
If you are already a trained Dockwalker and were trained more than three years ago, please join us this year for a refresher class.
Trainings are free. Visit the Dockwalker website at dbw.parks.ca.gov to view the full training schedule (11 trainings), find locations and to sign up. You can also view the volunteer videos on the website and learn what volunteer Dockwalkers are saying about the program.
Anyone from ages 15 to 100 with an interest in water quality and sharing clean boating information (regardless of your background) can become a Dockwalker.
