Marine Patrol is the water division of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's office. The small team patrols more than 200 miles of Delta waterways — from Richmond to Discovery Bay (including Delta Coves). Their officers enforce Maritime Law — pulling over boaters violating boating law to issue tickets or education warnings.

They use a variety of watercraft — from boats to jet skis — to complete their patrols and respond to emergent situations.

Bethel Island is in Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Beat 33. There is usually always an officer and car on the island.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff shared some common violations to help you avoid unknowingly breaking the law:

• Not having proper equipment on board when not docked or anchored.
• Not using a ski flag and having an observer.
• Operating a boat with a blood alcohol count of 0.08% or higher.
• Having an underage operator. Operators must be 16 or older by themselves or 12-15 years of age with adult supervision.
• Not seated appropriately in the boat.
• Speeding.
• Skiing, teak surfing, or towing between dusk to dark.

Yes, it is legal to carry extra fuel aboard your boat at any time.

Boat owners have 60 days from the day they move the boat from out of state to register it within California.

Once you receive your numbers from the state, stickers can be purchased from West Marine, Amazon or any place the sells individual stickers.

Look over the DBW's guide to life vests.

• Ensure everyone is wearing a personal flotation device and remove yourself from the boat if needed and safe to do so.
• Call 911 or Contra Costa County Sheriff (925-646-2441 opt. 0) or VHF channel 16 to report your problem and alert the authorities.
• Pin your location with your phone and send location to authorities or someone who can communicate your location to the proper authorities.

Call the Contra Costa County Sheriff (925-646-2441). Marine Patrol will respond and handle the situation with the boater in question. Provide the CF number and a description of the boat and persons onboard if available.

A blue light on a boat means it’s Marine Patrol. You must stay at least 200 feet away — if this isn't possible, slow down so there's no wake. Don't rock the boat, there's a $1,000 fine for not following this rule.

When facing the bow from the aft position of your boat, green lights are on the starboard side and red lights are on the port side.

You face a hefty fine if these items are not immediately available.

• Properly fitting Coast Guard approved lifejacket for everyone on board.
• Any child 13 and under must always be wearing their Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
• Type 4 throwable flotation device
• Unexpired fire extinguisher
• Air horn
• Boater card
• Certificate of numbers
• Valid registration and Quaga stickers.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs/Life Vests) are required to be worn by all children 13 years of age and under. Vests must be fully zipped and clasped to be considered worn. You must also wear a life vest when riding a HydroFoil. You are not required to wear a life vest when kayaking or paddleboarding but must have a vest on board.

Yes - even guests are required to have a valid Boater Card to operate power boats and personal craft.

While Delta Coves hosts an annual Water Safety 101, don't wait for the next one! Find current information available to the public through these guides:

• ABCs of California Boating
• Division of Boating and Waterways
• Boat CA mobile app
• California Legislative website

Many local marinas offer Delta maps for sale. Residents can also order a map online or subscribe to the Navionics app.

There are many websites offering local tide tables. Marine Patrol uses Laurtizen Yacht Harbor. The Coast Guard also keeps up with charting.

It is unlawful – and unsafe – to jet ski or ski between dusk and dawn.

Water ski boats require three people minimum to operate — an observer, driver, and skier

If you're on the Delta and see someone holding an orange flag from their boat, take caution. This flag means a skier is in the water and not being towed, so other boaters may not easily see them.

Any area in the Delta waters marked with 5 MPH or "no wake zone" signs is considered a no wake zone. This prevents wakes from causing damage to docks, docked boats or those located close together on the water. 

Flooded farmland and an array of farm debris live beneath Frank's Tract. Crossing this area by boat poses a risk since there is no clear marked path through. 

Vessel Assist are agencies that will recover or tow your boat. West Marine offers discounts or your insurance company may have a program. Local companies are BoatUS and Sea Tow.

Boat insurance is not required by law but is recommended for in the event of damage to or loss of your boat. 

• Remove all valuable items from your vessel and ensure all cabins are locked.
• Don't leave valuable items in dock storage boxes.
• Install surveillance cameras and/or motion sensor lighting on or near your dock. (Review Residential Design Guidelines, sections 4.79 and 6.9.)
• Make friends with your neighbors and watch out for each other!
• Engrave your driver's license number into any property left on or near your dock.

Invasive mussels spurred new lake launching and quarantine requirements. More boaters are boating on the Delta than launching on local lakes. 

Contra Costa County Sheriff's Deputy recommended placing a GPS tracker on your boat, as well as engraving your driver's license number on any property left on or near your boat or docks.

The exhaust for your boat exits at the rear and anyone sitting in this area could experience carbon monoxide poisoning