The Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment (BSEE) Grant Program, administered by the California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), provides funding to local government agencies for the acquisition of boating safety and law enforcement equipment. This program is designed to enhance public safety on California’s waterways by equipping marine law enforcement agencies with essential tools for patrol, search and rescue, and enforcement operations. The grant covers up to 100% of eligible costs, depending on the proportion of time the equipment will be used for boating safety and enforcement activities.
Eligible applicants for the BSEE Grant include local government agencies that can demonstrate a need for boating safety and law enforcement equipment in accordance with the program's assessment criteria. The program specifically supports local boating safety and enforcement operations, and funding is not available for private entities or general public safety needs outside of marine enforcement.
The types of equipment that can be funded through this program include law enforcement patrol boats, marine patrol equipment, personal watercraft (PWC), search and rescue equipment, and engine replacements or repowers. These items must be used primarily for boating safety and enforcement to qualify for grant funding.
The grant application window for the 2025-2026 cycle opens on March 14, 2025, and closes on April 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST. A virtual workshop will be held on March 26, 2025, from 10:00 to 10:45 AM to guide applicants through the application process and scoring criteria. Those interested in attending must RSVP by March 21, 2025, by emailing Johanna Naughton at johanna.naughton@parks.ca.gov.
Applications must be submitted through the Online Grant Application (OLGA) system. The selection process is competitive, and applications are evaluated based on the need for equipment, how effectively it will be used for boating safety and enforcement, and alignment with the program’s priorities. The application scoring rubric is available online to provide transparency into the evaluation criteria.
For further details, applicants can contact Johanna Naughton at johanna.naughton@parks.ca.gov or (916) 902-8795. The California Division of Boating and Waterways also provides additional resources, such as reimbursement instructions and previous workshop recordings, to assist applicants in the grant process.
