New Boating Inspection Law goes into effect 7/1/2016 for Florida boaters.

[JGator]

The bill revises what constitutes careless operation of a vessel to only apply if a person is operating a vessel in an unreasonable or imprudent manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of another person outside of the vessel or endangers the life, limb, or property of another person due to vessel overloading or excessive speed.
The bill requires the issuance of safety inspection decals by law enforcement officers to operators of vessels that have been found in compliance with the safety equipment carriage and use requirements. The bill prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping a vessel solely for the purpose of inspecting the safety equipment carriage and use requirements, if the vessel has a properly displayed valid safety inspection decal, unless there is reasonable suspicion that a violation of the safety equipment carriage and use requirements is occurring or has occurred.

 

[Blue2005]

I'm sure the cops are gonna love that. Being in Florida myself, this a pretty neat update. I guess my question is, where would we be able to acquire such a decal? I'm still pretty new to all this.

 

[JGator]

I've never been hassled, nor boarded, by FWC officers or the Sheriff's deputy. The law reads if stopped for an inspection they are required to issue a sticker if your boat is deemed compliant. I boat on lakes, rivers and in the Gulf. Coast Guard is exempt on this however.

 

[krakatoa]

The bill prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping a vessel solely for the purpose of inspecting the safety equipment carriage and use requirements, if the vessel has a properly displayed valid safety inspection decal, unless there is reasonable suspicion that a violation of the safety equipment carriage and use requirements is occurring or has occurred.

I will love to see officers just stopping off your boat because the decal. They will insist.... .

I boating in Tampa Bay area and just get a citation cause by "mistake" cruise over McDill AFB waters trying to get Hula Bay. First warning cost me $275.00 . As a courtesy the Coast Guard Officer give me a nice "Boating and Angling Guide in Tampa Bay" brochure.

Its not a charm?