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change that process so that her programs would have definitive funds as well as control of available federal funding. Throughout her career at Cal Boating, Dolores excelled in the two areas where she had a proven track record: education and law enforcement programs. She worked with boating and educational experts to develop boating safety brochures for the general public and boating safety program materials for students and teachers statewide. Dolores and her staff received several awards from the National Boating Safety Council and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for elementary school boating safety programs developed at Cal Boating under her direction, including the “AquaSmart” program. The department’s radio spots and safety campaigns using children’s artwork also won national recognition for excellence. Dolores remembers how hard it was to be accepted initially on the national level. “California had not been actively ‘hands on’ in these areas before,” she explains. “Now we were winning awards, and other states were asking, ‘What did we know?’” But the skeptics were soon won over, and many of California’s imaginative educational programs became models that were copied by other states and other countries. Working with law enforcement was another venue where Dolores effectively brought about positive change. She helped expand a grant program for counties without a sufficient tax base to maintain a law enforcement presence on the water. What was originally a $2.5 million federal program grew to $10.6 million in funding for counties in the Delta and Shasta County to fund boat patrols on area waterways. Dolores also enhanced much of the training available from Cal Boating to law enforcement agencies – rules of the water, fire safety, navigation aides, accident investigation, and use of personal watercraft (PWC) for rescue and patrols – and added classes as well. The accident investigation

Annual Boating Safety Poster Contest

One of the highlights of Cal Boating’s education program is the annual Boating Safety Poster Contest, which marked its 14th year in 2007. Under Dolores Farrell’s direction, the poster campaign won several national awards for excellence. Open to all California students in grades K-8, the contest combines art with water safety education. Nine winning posters, one for each grade level, are selected for Cal Boating’s official calendar each year. The winners are awarded savings bonds, and their teachers receive gift certificates for classroom materials, all courtesy of corporate sponsors. Students create artwork that depicts aquatic safety themes. They not only become “waterwise,” but they help to spread the word about being safe around the water. (continued page 25)

1985 Legislation allows Cal Boating to provide loans to

1986

Through 2007, Cal Boating has provided $52 million in business loans for the construction of marina facilities used by the public.

Until 1986, California lacked clear definition of “intoxication” for a vessel operator. Making the blood alcohol level identical to the Vehicle Code standard (.10 percent) enables law enforce­ ment to crack down on impaired boat operators.

businesses for development of recreational marinas.

Fifth Department Logo, 1988–2007

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50 Years: The Department of Boating and Waterways, 1957 to 2007