ALEA highlights marine event permit process to reinforce safety efforts across Alabama waterways
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Special to the News
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is sharing the following information to provide clarification concerning fishing tournaments and the long-standing process for obtaining marine event permits in Alabama.
The agency’s goal is to ensure event organizers, anglers and the public are fully aware and have accurate information as they plan safe and successful events on Alabama’s waterways.
First and foremost, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division has not made any changes to its procedures or enforcement practices. The Division continues to receive and process applications and issue marine event permits for a variety of activities, from fishing tournaments and Christmas boat parades to fireworks shows and boat races.
The requirement for a marine event permit has been in effect for decades. Both state law (Code of Alabama 33-5-27) and the accompanying regulation (220-6-.17) have remained unchanged since 1994.
However, a tragic triple fatality that occurred on Smith Lake in Cullman County on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, has created a heightened awareness within the boating community.
As organizers have reached out for guidance, Division personnel have highlighted and walked organizers through the pre-existing requirements.
To assist organizers, ALEA offers the following reminders:
- The permit application is simple and free, available on our public website.
- There is no fee to submit an application or to receive a permit.
- Applications must be submitted at least 15 days prior to an event to ensure proper review and allow law enforcement and emergency responders time to prepare for any safety needs.
- Neither the application nor the permit itself assigns liability to a person or organization.
In Fiscal Year 2025, ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division permitted 154 marine events, including 80
fishing tournaments. Any applications that could not be approved were solely because of the required
15-day submission window not being met.
The Division has also noted a significant increase in fishing tournament applications this year, reflecting greater awareness and a shared commitment to safe, well-organized events.
ALEA would also like to remind all boaters, whether in a tournament or simply enjoying a day on the water, that you must be properly licensed and must follow all boating rules and regulations for everyone’s safety.
Permitting marine events is an important part of maintaining safety on Alabama’s waterways.
Events often bring large groups of boaters to shared access points and busy water corridors. The permit process helps ensure proper communication with organizers, allows ALEA to identify points of contact and enables the Division to support the event and surrounding communities as needed.
The marine event application and instructions can be found at: www.alea.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/MarineEventApplicationFY2018.pdf.
ALEA remains committed to partnering with Alabama’s anglers, boaters and event organizers.
