FWC: Keep Your Life, Lives of Others Safe by Boating Sober Over Memorial Day Weekend

A law enforcement officer may stop any vessel to check for compliance with boating safety

(FWC) – While you’re enjoying being out on the water this long holiday weekend, keep your life and the lives of others around you safe by boating sober.

In Florida, .08 blood/breath-alcohol level is over the limit and we have a zero-tolerance policy for operating a boat while under the influence EVERY day of the year.

Law enforcement officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sheriffs’ deputies of the various counties, municipal police officers, and all other law enforcement officers, as defined in section 943.10, Florida Statutes, have the authority to order the removal or relocation of vessels deemed to be an interference with the navigation or a hazard to public safety; to enforce all boating safety laws; and to conduct vessel inspections in accordance with state law.

A law enforcement officer may stop any vessel to check for compliance with boating safety equipment and registration requirements and to conduct resource inspections in accordance with state law.

■ Florida law requires that anyone convicted of 2 non-criminal boating safety infractions within a 12-month period must enroll in, attend and successfully complete any NASBLA/State of Florida-approved boater education course. (“Attend” means you must attend a classroom course or take the course online.) This course must be completed following the date of the second violation, and proof of completion must be filed with the Commission’s Boating and Waterways Section.

■ Any person convicted of a boating infraction that resulted in a reportable boating accident or convicted of any criminal boating violation must complete any NASBLA/State of Florida-approved boating safety course and also complete an approved safe boating course for violators. Violator courses require approximately 4 hours to complete and must be taken through a specified State of Florida-approved online course.

A violator’s privilege to operate a vessel in Florida is suspended until proof of course completion is filed with the FWC.

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