Florida - This 4th of July, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging boaters to be safe as they take to the water for the holiday.
The FWC says that many boating accidents are caused by inattentiveness or improper lookout. “Boat operators have a personal responsibility to make sure their passengers are safe and they are not creating a hazard for other boaters,” says Captain Gary Klein, Florida’s boating law administrator. “We all expect to have a good time when we celebrate the 4th of July. No one expects anything to go wrong, but that can all change in an instant if someone is not paying attention or is operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
Through the 4th, boaters can expect to see an enhanced law enforcement presence. "We encourage people to pay close attention to what's going on around them, to maintain 360-degree awareness. We encourage folks every day when they're out on the water to develop a life jacket habit, to find a life jacket that's comfortable and wear it. You never know when you're going to need it," says Brian Rehwinkle, Outreach and Education Coordinator for FWC's Division of Law Enforcement. Rehwinkle also encourages boaters to designate a sober boat operator for any outings.
There are also devices that boaters can purchase and register for their boats to help in case of an emergency called Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB's) or Personal Locator Beacons (PLB's). If an emergency occurs, these devices send a signal by satellite to search-and-rescue agencies so that rescuers can locate the boaters more quickly. “For many boaters, an EPIRB or PLB can make a big difference if an emergency occurs,” says Klein.
There are now discounted vessel registration fees for anyone who owns a boat or other marine vessel that is equipped with an EPRIB or PLB. These discounted vessel registration fees were instituted by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature.
More information on EPIRB's is available by clicking here. More information on the new discounted vessel registration can be found here.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
