Under the new law, which went into effect on July 1, law enforcement officers must have probably cause to stop a vessel.

The new law 'repeal(s) the … (FWC)’s authority to conduct random vessel safety inspections' without probable cause.

In 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the state reached 1 million registered boats ...

The Florida Legislature passed the Boater Freedom Initiative May 1. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, his office announced May 19. It takes effect July 1. Banning random vessel safety ...

The Florida Legislature passed the Boater Freedom Initiative May 1. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, his office announced May 19. It takes effect July 1. Banning random vessel safety ...

Florida leads the nation in boat ownership — with 1.04 million registered vessels in 2023 — and boating crashes — with 659, resulting in 59 fatalities. On the Treasure Coast, there were: ...

Required safety equipment includes a life jacket for each person on board, a whistle or horn, a fire extinguisher, and a throwable device like a life ring or seat cushion, according to Boley.

Everyone born after January 1, 1988, must have a Boating Safety Education ID Card to legally operate a boat of 10 or more horsepower on Florida waters. So, as of this writing, if you are 37 or younger ...

Required safety equipment includes a life jacket for each person on board, a whistle or horn, a fire extinguisher, and a throwable device like a life ring or seat cushion, according to Boley.

The Florida Legislature passed the Boater Freedom Initiative May 1. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law, his office announced May 19. It takes effect July 1. Banning random vessel safety ...