LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A new bill proposed by Florida could require all boaters to have proof of passing a boating safety course before heading out on the water.
The bill is known officially as SB 30 and was filed on Tuesday by Republican Senator Ileana Garcia of Miami.
All eyes are set on the part of the bill which, if passed, would require all boaters to take and pass a safety course.
“For some of us who have been boating for over 50 years, it may seem like perhaps we already know what we’re doing,” said Darrell Hanson, a veteran boater.
There are more boating fatalities here in Florida than anywhere else in the country. In 2022, 63 people died while boating.
The proposed law aims to make waterways in the Sunshine State safer.
Currently, Florida law requires anyone born after 1988 to pass a boater safety course. Boaters born before then are grandfathered in and aren’t required to take a course.
“Having safe waterways is always a top priority,” said Ryan VanDenabeele, Director of Marketing at Salty Sam’s Marina.
That’s why his team quizzes each rental customer before they take out one of their boats, regardless if they have a boater safety card or not.
“I would say probably 50%,” he said, speaking of how many customers have their safety ID cards.
If SB 30 passes next year, that number would climb to 100%.
“If this law does go through, it would be interesting to see what happens,” VanDenabeele said.
For veteran boats who have been navigating our SWFL water for decades, this isn’t welcome news.
“Education of how to operate a boat is not going to be in the classroom,” said Billy Kirkland. “ It’s going to be operating, hands-on experience.”
Kirkland has been boating since 1976. However, his almost 50 years of boating experience would mean nothing if this bill passes and he doesn’t have proof that he passed a safety course.
He took one many years ago, but that ID card to prove it is long gone.
“It upsets me and I’m not going to go get a card,” Kirkland said. “I’ve been boating all these years and I don’t think that card’s going to make me a safer operator.”
He’s not alone. Hanson doesn’t have a safety ID card either and would be in the same ‘boat’ as Kirkland: left stranded on dry land unless they take the course.
“I guess you have too. It’s sort of a way of life,” Hanson said.
The course takes a couple of hours and the bill would make it easier to prove that you passed, creating a designation on your driver’s license.
The bill also targets boating under the influence and would require convicted offenders to carry vessel insurance.
But all eyes are focused on whether or not boaters will end up back in the classroom.
“I’d run the risk of getting a ticket. Come get me,” Kirkland said.