The Florida Freedom Boater Decal
On July 1st the Florida Freedom Boater law went into effect. Regardless how you feel about this new law, it is in effect and as boaters we must comply.
The law directs the local tax collector have boat owner complete a “Vessel Safety Equipment Attestation” form to get the Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal sent to them.
The form must be completed upon the original registration, renewal, or transfer of vessel ownership.
If you haven’t seen the new form, you may be in for a little surprise. There are two statement you are being asked to attest to. You may want to take them seriously.
First up is this statement, “I, the undersigned, hereby affirm and attest that the vessel described above is equipped with all safety equipment required by the United States Coast Guard and applicable federal regulations for legal operation on state and federal waters.”
This seems simple, right? But the form doesn’t tell you what safety equipment you are required to have on board.
If you have boating for a long time, you probably know the list of safety requirements can and does change from time to time.
Some items like fire extinguishers, and pyrotechnic visual distress signals have expiration dates, are yours current?
Other pieces of equipment can and does wear out. Is all your equipment up to date and in usable condition?
Both the Unites States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCG Aux) and United States Power Squadrons / America’s Boating Club (USPS/ABC) offer free Vessel Safety Checks.
These checks should be part of an annual ritual for every boater owner as it is an opportunity to pull all out your safety gear and inspect it.
These Vessel Safety Checks are a free service done by volunteers who will meet you at your vessel. Depending on the size of boat you have, the process should take between 15-30 minutes.
The Vessel Examiners are trained and up to date on the latest changes and if you have any missing or out of date equipment, they will let you know and are willing to come back at a later date and complete the exam.
To schedule a free Vessel Safety Check, visit the USPS/ABC District 22’s website (https://americasboatingclub-d22.org).
You will find a link on the home page to request one from one of the fifteen (15) member clubs in Southwest Florida.
The USCG Aux also has a webpage (https://cgaux.org/vsc) where you request one from a local Auxiliary member.
The next statement on the “Vessel Safety Equipment Attestation” form is perhaps even more concerning.
“I understand that it is my legal responsibility as the owner and/or operator of this vessel to ensure compliance with all applicable maritime safety laws and regulations.”
That’s a broad statement, open to a lot of interpretation. In order comply with “…all applicable maritime safety laws and regulations” you need to know them. Do you?
Maritime law and regulation include the “U.S. Inland Navigation Rules” and the “International Regulations for Preventing Collisions as Sea, 1972 (COLREGS, 72).” These rules are collectively known as the Navigation Rules.
The Navigation Rules are designed to prevent collisions on the water.
In maritime court the assumption is if you have an accident on the water, it is your fault because you must not have been following the rules.
In Florida only people born on or after January 1, 1988 must take a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Administrators.
Passing that course earns the individual a Boater Education I.D. Card good in any state that requires boating safety education.
Once again, the USCG Aux and USPS/ABC can help you. Consider taking Boat America or America’s Boating Course.
These classes cover the items you are attesting to. The benefit of taking an in-person class versus an on-line course is it gives you an opportunity to interact with the instructor and get to know other boaters in your area.
Although both courses focus on the key Inland Navigation Rules the USPS/ABC also offers a two-hour Navigation Rules seminar called Rules of the Road.
This seminar takes an in-depth look at both Inland and International rules. Boaters on the Florida coast need to know the subtle differences between these rules.
The Inland Rules end/start as soon as you cross the Line of Demarcation and enter the Gulf where the International Rules begin.
Members of the Unites States Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadron have been educating boaters for a long time. Perhaps it’s time to consider taking them up on the offer of help.
Stay safe on the water!
Thomas E. Dawson
Cape Coral, Florida
Tomas E. Dawson has been teaching safe boating at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron in SW Florida since 2018. Dawson developed and is teaching a local waters seminar that discusses boating in Lee County. The seminar is offered during snow-bird season starting again on October14th. You reserve your seat by signing up for the seminar on line at ccsaps.org. Clicking on the Events/Seminars button to find all upcoming dates and signup. A book based on the seminar, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended” is available on Amazon along with i WSn Thomas E. Dawson has been teaching safe boating at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron isince 2018. Dawson developed and is teaching a local waters seminar that discusses boating in Lee County. The seminar is offered during snow-bird season starting again on October14th. You reserve your seat by signing up for the seminar on line at ccsaps.org. Clicking on the Events/Seminars button to find all upcoming dates and signup. A book based on the seminar, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended” is available on Amazon along with i WSn Thomas E. Dawson has been teaching safe boating at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron isince 2018. Dawson developed and is teaching a local waters seminar that discusses boating in Lee County. The seminar is offered during snow-bird season starting again on October14th. You reserve your seat by signing up for the seminar on line at ccsaps.org. Clicking on the Events/Seminars button to find all upcoming dates and signup. A book based on the seminar, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended” is available on Amazon along with “Safe Boating in Southwest Florida, Cape Coral Edition.”
