Spring breakers urged to boat safely on Florida waters

March 20, 2019

Suggested Tweet: Boat safely on spring break with tips from @MyFWC https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2380687 #Florida #SpringAboard 

FWC photo.

Spring breakers urged to boat safely on Florida waters 

Spring break has arrived, and thousands of people are flocking to southwest Florida beaches. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to make sure everyone recreating on our waters goes home safely at the end of the day. If you plan to enjoy our beautiful waterways, check out MyFWC.com/Boating for boating safety tips. Safety is never optional! 

“We’ve had a number of tragic boating accidents recently in southwest Florida, and we really want to get the word out to both visitors and residents enjoying Florida’s year-round boating season,” said Maj. Roger Young, FWC’s Southwest Regional Commander. “We expect to see more congestion on the water, and reminding people to slow down in crowded areas is a top priority for us. Nothing can ruin a fun and memorable experience on the water faster than a boating accident.” 

Among other boating safety tips found at MyFWC.com/Boating, boaters are encouraged to wear their life jackets, maintain 360-degree awareness and know the dangers (and penalties) for operating a vessel while impaired. “Life-changing tragedies happen because individuals choose to operate a boat or drive a car while impaired. Those tragedies are preventable,” said Young. “As law enforcement, it is our job to do all we can to ensure the safety of our recreational boaters.”

 

Alcohol is a leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths, and a major contributor to accidents. In 2017, out of the 67 fatal accident victims in Florida, 24 percent (16) were related to alcohol or drug use.

 

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating. 

 

FWC photo.