Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






Navy blue graphic with photo of child splashing in lake, loon nest with two eggs with adult loon in background, and shoreline erosion

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Memorial Day Weekend is here marking the start of the boating season for many!

With more people heading out to enjoy a day of boating or fishing, it is more important than ever to be a responsible boater to keep you and everyone on the water safe. Here are a few reminders:


* "Headway Speed" means the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and control of the watercraft. You must operate a watercraft at "headway speed" while:
* Within 200 feet of any shoreline, including islands.
* Within a marina or an approved anchorage in coastal or inland waters.
"This law was designed to keep everyone on the water safe, reduce erosion, and to help protect wildlife such as loons that nest on the shoreline."

* When towing someone on water skis, a surfboard, tube, or another device, ALWAYS have a responsible person at least 12 years of age in a position to observe the towed person(s) continuously, in addition to the boat operator. The person(s) being towed must wear a life jacket.
* You are responsible for your wake. Always pay attention.
* Be respectful of others. Give other boaters, swimmers, and anglers plenty of space and always drive at a reasonable and prudent speed for conditions, congestion of other boats, and wildlife.
* ALWAYS wear a life jacket. If you think you will have time to put it on after you are in the water, think again.
* Stay alert! Never drink and boat.

Before you go, view all of Maine's boating laws at mefishwildlife.com/laws [ [link removed] ]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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bass fishing boat with father and daughter fishing at sunset
Take a boating safety course, online or in-person

Participation in a boating education course will teach you how to properly operate and maintain a boat.?

Find an upcoming in-person course or begin a course online today. [ [link removed] ]?



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clean drain dry logo [ [link removed] ]
Protect Our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species

Maine waters, as well as the fish, wildlife, and recreation they support, are threatened each year by introductions of fish, plants, diseases, and other aquatic invasive species that compete with and displace native natural communities. Do your part by learning how to properly clean and dry your watercraft, motor, trailer and equipment before laving water access. [ [link removed] ]



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Is your boat properly registered?

Boat registrations are valid from January 1 through December 31.

The easiest way to *renew* your boat registration is online at _mefishwildlife.com [ [link removed] ]_, but not all towns have signed up with the state?s internet vendor, InforME, to do registrations. To see if your town allows online boat registration renewals, _click here [ [link removed] ]_. To renew your boat registration online, _click here [ [link removed] ]_.

First time boat registrations cannot be completed online, they must be done at the town office so the town can collect sales and excise tax.

*Nonresidents: *Boat registrations may be renewed online, but first time registrations cannot be done online or on the phone. If the boat will be kept in Maine waters for more than 60 days the boat must be registered in Maine in the town where the boat will be kept.

Watercraft with a valid registration in another state that are in Maine waters for less than 60 days do not require a Maine registration, but do require a _Lake and River Protection Sticker [ [link removed] ]_.






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More information

Maine Boating Laws and Rules [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Information [ [link removed] ]

Purchase Your Lake and River Protection Sticker [ [link removed] ]

Online Boat Registration Renewal [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Courses [ [link removed] ]

Help Protect our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]

Label Canoes and Kayaks with a If Found Sticker [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ?41 State House Station ? Augusta, ME 04333-0041 ? (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]