ORLANDO, Fla. – If you are planning on going out on a boat this Memorial Day weekend, you won’t be affected by a new law that will soon be taking effect. However, it is important to be aware of the Boater Freedom Act, which will go into effect in July.
This legislation places new restrictions on when state and local law enforcement can stop boaters and board their vessels. Currently, law enforcement can still pull over and board your boat without suspicion.
News 6 was out on the water with Capt. Mike Rice and Capt. Dan Pollack, who run the Central Florida Boating Association, a nonprofit organization that teaches boating skills and laws. With Memorial Day approaching and people celebrating on the water, they want to remind boaters that authorities can still pull them over and check for excessive alcohol use.
“According to the National Safe Boating Council’s statistics, operating under the influence of alcohol is the number one reason for injury or fatalities on a vessel. So, it’s the top priority of law enforcement to keep track of folks that are doing that,” Rice told News 6.
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However, in July, the law will change. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Boater Freedom Act will end vessel safety inspections, including the ability to board a vessel without probable cause.
“I think by this legislation protecting you against suspicion, less searches, I think it actually will be a better allocation of resources, not just for FWC, but also for the other local law enforcement agencies who are really important in keeping our people safe,” DeSantis stated during a press conference.
When asked if the new law would make the waters less safe, Pollack responded, “I don’t know if it will make it less safe or not; time will tell.”
Rice added, “I’m sure with any rule change, there will be someone who takes advantage of it thinking, ‘Well, I can’t get stopped for no reason, so now I can push the limits of drinking.’ But I think those folks will get found out real quick because you can obviously tell dangerous maneuvers or speeding in a lake zone very easily.”
Being out on the boat is a lot of fun, but it also comes with significant responsibility.
If you see someone operating a boat in a potentially unsafe manner, you can report them by contacting your local authorities’ non-emergency number or the FWC.