Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Press Releases

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05/08/2020

DEEP Announces Availability of Safe Boating Online Learning

New boaters can obtain their required boating certificates online

In order to continue to provide safe boating courses to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now providing safe boating courses online.

Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7JJ, issued on May 6, 2020, suspends certain legal restraints and enables DEEP and its partners to provide safe boating courses online during the COVID-19 pandemic.  DEEP suspended in-person boating classes in March. 

“We are very excited to resume safe boating education while keeping students, staff and our instructors safe,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said.  “With the technology available today, this was just a natural development.”

The Executive Order provides for online classes taught by DEEP, private boating class providers, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and U.S. Power Squadrons.  The classes will be held on an interactive videoconferencing platform which provides the opportunity for dialogue between the instructors and students.  The Executive Order will also allow the students to take an online examination at the end of the class.

Successful completion of DEEP’s eight-hour boating safety course is required before obtaining a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation which is necessary to operate a boat or personal watercraft on Connecticut’s waters.  DEEP and its partners typically provide boating safety education to approximately 9,000 students per year. 


Starting Saturday, May 9, to sign up for a DEEP safe boating class online, or for additional information on boating requirements in Connecticut, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Education/Boating-Classes

 

For more information on boating in Connecticut, visit https://portal.ct.gov/boating, or follow DEEP’s boating division on social media.

Facebook: BoatingInConnecticut | Twitter: @CTBoatingInfo | Instagram: ctdeep_boating

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
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Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110