The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Marine Patrol (AMP) Division's mission is to enhance safety and promote responsible use of resources on Alabama's waterways through enforcement, education, and community activities.
The AMP Division patrols Alabama’s public waterways, oversees the registration of all pleasure boats and the licensing of all boat operators, and operates a statewide education program. The State's regulatory waterway marking program, presently overseeing 1,518 hazard and control markers/zones, is also administered by the AMP Division.
ALEA's Marine Patrol Division consists of three districts that divide the state: Northern District, Central District, and Southern District. The Northern District covers 27 counties with major waterways along the Tennessee, Coosa, and Black Warrior Rivers, and numerous smaller rivers and lakes. The Central District covers 32 counties with major waterways along the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Alabama, Tombigbee, and Chattahoochee Rivers, and numerous smaller rivers and lakes. The Southern District covers eight counties with major waterways along the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers, Mobile Bay, Gulf of Mexico, and numerous smaller rivers and lakes.
With Alabama's favorable weather conditions and abundant waterways, boating is a popular activity across the state. Over one million boaters enjoy Alabama's one million acres of lakes, 1,600 miles of rivers, and 53 miles of coastline each year.
2026 Boating Basics and License Course Schedule:
Northern District:
Date: April 25
Time: Noon - 6 PM
City: Scottsboro
Address: Goose Pond Colony Resort (Clubhouse)
417 Ed Hembree Drive, 35769
Instructor Contact: James.Young@alea.gov
Central District:
Date: April 25
City: Carrolton
Time: 8 AM - 4 PM
Location: Pickens County Sheriff's Office Training Center
188 Cemetery Street, Carrolton, AL 35447
Instructor Contact: ryan.wise@alea.gov
Date: April 25
City: Centreville
Time: 9 AM - 8 PM
Location: Bibb County Expo Center
100 Walnut Street Centreville, AL 35042
Instructor Contact: Kevin.lawrence@alea.gov
Date: May 2
City: Tuscaloosa
Time: 8 AM - 4 PM
Location: ALEA Tuscaloosa Trooper Post
2645 Skyland Blvd E. Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Instructor Contact: michael.duke@alea.gov
Date: May 9
City: Clio
Time: 8 AM - 4 PM
Location: Blue Springs Town Hall
2571 AL 10, Clio, AL 36017
Instructor Contact: Allen.knight@alea.gov
Date: May 9
City: Alex City
Time: 8 AM - 4 PM
Location: ALEA Marine Patrol - Central District Office
126 Marina Road Alex City, AL. 35010
Instructor Contact: todd.oliver@alea.gov