Boating Safety Program

The Environmental Health and Safety Department's Boating Safety Program is administered by the Diving and Boating Safety Officer. All boating conducted in an official capacity under the auspices of FAU must be approved by the Diving and Boating Safety Officer including research and grant activities, and all class field trips by faculty, staff or students on university funded excursions. This also includes boating involving any FAU sponsored activity on FAU owned vessels, charter vessels or personal vessels.

Three basic requirements must be met to conduct boating activities under the official auspices of FAU:

1. All boats must be annually inspected by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and an inspection sticker affixed to the vessel in a prominent place.
2. Anyone seeking approval to operate a motorized vessel under the auspices of FAU must (1) successfully complete the Florida Safe Boater Course (or Florida-approved equivalent), (2) successfully complete the U.S. Department of the Interior Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) and (3) demonstrate operational proficiency in specific boats, based on the research to be conducted. The Florida Safe Boater Course is available free of charge from the following website: http://boatus.org/florida/. The MOCC is provided regularly by FAU’s Environmental Health and Safety Department free of charge to FAU personnel. Additional training requirements for airboat operators are specified in the FAU Diving and Boating Safety Manual.
3. An FAU float plan must be filed with a responsible agent who will notify the appropriate authorities if the vessel becomes overdue, and a float plan copy should be filed with the FAU DBSO. Note: Unless approved, the DBSO does not normally act as the notifying agent if a vessel is overdue.

When utilizing commercial charter vessels it is normally assumed that the vessel owners will have adequate training, that vessels meet all Coast Guard requirements, and that float plan notification will be carried out by the vessel operators. However, it is a prudent action for FAU personnel engaging a charter company to enquire about their status.

When operating personal vessels, FAU personnel should always file a float plan copy with the DBSO. By doing so, the activity becomes officially sanctioned and FAU liability for the excursion is extended.

• To apply to become a qualified boater, complete this form and submit to Jimmy Nelson .
• Request CPR/First Aid/AED Training for Scientific Diving and Boating

 

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Online Resources

Florida Boating Handbook
Visual Safety Check - Arrange a US Coast Guard Auxiliary (VSC).
FAU Float Plan - Under Construction
NOAA Weather
Florida Tide Information
NOAA National Data Buoy Center

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To Contact the Diving and Boating Safety Officer:

After hours or in the event of emergency:
cell: 772.766.1159