FWC educates boaters for National Safe Boating Week
They're reminding boat owners about equipment requirements. Every vessel must have a life jacket for each person on board. They must also have a type 4 throwable flotation device, a fire extinguisher, and a sound-producing device.
'Life jackets are really important if you do fall in the water, you're not having to worry about keeping yourself afloat. You can call for help. You're able to swim places easier. A visual distress signal, like a flare, is good in emergencies. It helps people know where you're at, as well as having a VHF radio to contact us or the Coast Guard on Channel 16,' Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Chris Boley said.
Anyone operating a personal watercraft or jet ski is required to wear a kill switch in case they fall off. The kill switch turns off the engine.
All these items can save lives, but officers said they're the most common safety violation.
'The biggest violation we'll see when it comes to safety here is not having the proper safety gear on board. So, not enough life jackets for everybody on board. Expired fire extinguishers or driving recklessly or carelessly,' Boley said.
All boat operators born after January 1, 1988, must have a Boater Safety ID Card to operate a boat. Boater safety courses can reduce the likelihood of a boating accident.
In 2023, over 80% of operators involved in fatal boating accidents had no formal boater education.
'You may not know the boat that's passing you, you don't know if that operator has an hour of experience or 100 hours of experience. So it's really important that you always maintain that proper lookout and all the other vessels that are on the water,' Boley added.
When a boating accident does occur, FWC responds.
'FWC is notified, we will get on scene, assess if there's any injuries and damage in sinking vessels, all those types of hazards and conduct an investigation,' Boley said.
FWC officers are always on the lookout for impaired boating operators. To report someone dangerously operating a vessel, call (888) 404-FWCC.
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