On Friday, March 18, 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission dubbed Florida the “Boating Capital of the World.” More people than ever are moving to the beautiful sunshine state and over 1 million boats are currently registered in Florida.
74,622 vessels are registered in Miami-Dade County, 53,867 in Pinellas County, 50,304 in Lee County, 47,741 in Broward County, and 41,495 in Hillsborough County.
The state of Florida requires boats to be registered within 30 days of purchase with the local tax collector. Vessels that are not motor-powered and shorter than 16 feet are not required to be registered.
With a record number of boats on the water, safety is more important than ever. In a statement from the commission’s Boating and Waterways Section Leader, Major Rob Beaton said, “With more boats on the water, we want to spread the word about boating safety to both residents and visitors enjoying Florida’s year-round boating season. A safe day while boating is a great day. Nothing can ruin a fun and memorable experience on the water faster than a boating accident.”
Wearing life jackets and maintaining a 360-degree awareness of surroundings while boating is key to avoiding tragedy. Boaters are also encouraged to know the dangers and penalties for operating a vessel while imparied. “Life-changing tragedies happen because individuals choose to operate a boat while impaired. Those tragedies are preventable,” said Beaton. “As law enforcement, it is our job to do all we can to ensure the safety of all boaters.”
Read more about boating safety on the FWC’s site. If you’re looking for a safe home for your vessel and exceptional service, we hope you’ll choose Riviera Dunes Marina.