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As a state, Florida Fish & Wildlife reports that Florida has the “unfortunate distinction of being the national leader in boating fatalities.” In the list of top ten Florida counties for boating accidents in 2014, they ranked Collier County 7^th and Lee County 5^th.

The Palm Beach Post reported in July 2015 that at least two people on average are lost each year on Florida waters. Over the past decade, nineteen boaters have disappeared, and about 600 boaters have died while boating in our state.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office hopes all boaters have float plans. A float plan provides the information which will be needed should a boater be in trouble for any reason while boating on Florida’s beautiful waterways. The plan will give the Sheriff and/or Coast Guard information about:

• Person filing the plan including name, home phone number and cell number
• Boat description which includes type, registration number, length, name, make, color, engine type, HP, number of engines, and fuel capacity
• Radio information
• Vehicle description
• Trip expectations
• People onboard

Boaters may download the plan by clicking here: Boating Safety Float Plan. Once the form is completed, the Sherriff’s office suggests giving it to a reliable person who will notify them, or the Coast Guard, should you not return on schedule.

“As we are in tourist season and the boating traffic increases, it is important to review boating safety. Here are some tips from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for staying safe and keeping out of trouble,” said Naples Boating Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

1. Complete a boating education course. One of the primary factors contributing to vessel accidents is operator inexperience.
2. Get your boat checked for safety's sake. The Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a free public service offered by Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron volunteer organizations.
3. Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and make sure all your passengers wear one too.
4. Avoid alcoholic beverages while boating. More than one-third of all boating deaths resulting from collisions involved alcohol use.
5. Be aware of weather conditions before heading out on the water and know what to do if the weather suddenly changes.
6. Have a working marine radio on board at all times and know how to use it.
7. Pack extra gear you may need. A flashlight with fresh batteries, flares, a first aid kit, sunscreen, and drinking water are a few items that should be packed in a watertight container that floats.
8. Tell someone where you are going, who is with you, and how long you plan to be out. Then stick to your travel plans. (Boating Safety Float Plan)
9. Ventilate after fueling. Open hatches, run the blower, and check for fuel fumes before starting the engine.
10. Know your boat's capacity and how to properly load it. An overloaded or improperly loaded boat can cause safety problems.
11. All children under the age of 6, in a vessel under 26 feet, must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while underway in Florida waters, and up to 3 miles from shore.

For more information about boating safety, visit the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety.

“Boating should be fun and relaxing, but if you or a loved one are involved in a boating accident, contact the experienced boating accident team at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.,” said Naples Boating Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Naples Boating Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.