BOATER FREEDOM ACT

New law provides unique opportunity for Florida squadrons

BY THOMAS E. DAWSON

► Effective July 1, 2025, the Florida Boater Freedom Act directs the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to create a five-year safety inspection decal program, among other things.

Under the new law, Florida boats have to display state-issued registration and vessel safety inspection decals. When submitting an original registration, renewal or transfer of vessel ownership to the local county tax collector, the owner must demonstrate compliance by filling out a Vessel Safety Equipment Attestation.

That’s right, it’s an honor system; no one verifies that all the required equipment is on board.

On the attestation form, the owner must affirm and attest to two statements. The first statement says, “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.”

The next statement says, “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.”

For three years in a row, Florida has tried to pass legislation mandating all boat operators take a boating safety class. So, maybe this second statement is a way of telling boat owners they need to know the rules.

Unfortunately, too many boat owners may sign this form the same way they click “I agree” to the terms and conditions on every new smartphone app they download without reading it closely.

To those who see nothing but doom and gloom in this new law, I say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

This law presents the perfect opportunity to market our vessel safety checks and educational courses and seminars.

Promoting vessel exams

How many boaters really know what safety equipment is required? The form doesn’t tell them. Who knows what is required better than our vessel examiners?

A vessel exam has always been a one-on-one educational opportunity. Our vessel examiners are a source of information about changes in requirements while a vessel safety check is an opportunity to find out-of-date or worn-out equipment. It’s a chance to point out the benefits of new safety technology, like non-pyrotechnic distress signals and electronic cutoff switches. A 15-to-30-minute visit can ensure that a boat owner can honestly answer the first question on the new form.

Promoting our classes

Our educational courses and seminars are part of our core mission. The law itself doesn’t address educating boaters, but on the form, the state wants owners to confirm they know “applicable maritime safety laws and regulations.” Doesn’t this sound like an opportunity to market America’s Boating Course? This class fulfills all the NASBLA and Florida requirements to earn a Boater Safety Education ID Card and covers many maritime safety laws and regulations. In addition, our Rules of the Road seminar is a good way to learn the Navigation Rules, which boaters in coastal Florida need to know.

So, let’s look at this new law positively; let’s make lemonade. Florida squadrons now have a unique opportunity to reinvigorate our vessel examination and education programs. Who knows? It might even net us some new members in the process. ■

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas E. Dawson is an instructor at Cape Coral Sail & Power Squadron/22, where he leads a local waters seminar. Tom is also the author of two books, “Safe Boating in Southwest Florida: Cape Coral Edition” and “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended Things You Wish Someone Had Told You About Boating Here.”