Who Enforces Boating Laws?
![Florida FWC Logo](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/2085/attachments/original/FL-FWC-Logo.jpg?1542398028)
The boating laws and regulations of Florida are enforced by the FWC and its officers, county sheriffs and their deputies, and any other authorized law enforcement officer.
- Boaters must stop when requested to do so by a law enforcement officer.
- Violators can expect enforcement action.
- Persons who violate boating laws and regulations may be subject to fines or, for more serious violations, subject to arrest.
- Upon conviction for serious offenses (like misdemeanors or felonies), violators may be sentenced to heavy fines and/or jail time.
- Florida law also requires mandatory education for violators.
- Persons who are convicted of a criminal boating violation, a non-criminal boating infraction that resulted in an accident, or two non-criminal boating safety infractions within a 12-month period are required to attend and successfully complete an approved boating safety course before operating a vessel in Florida again. This law requires attendance in a classroom course.
- In addition to the above, anyone convicted of a criminal boating violation or a non-criminal boating infraction that resulted in an accident also must take an approved four-hour online course for violators.
- Visit the Florida FWC website to find a course that meets these requirements.
![Florida Enforcement Officers](https://ke-courses-production.s3.amazonaws.com/asset_files/production/2072/attachments/original/FL-enforcement-officers.jpg?1542393664)