Florida saw 659 boating accidents and 59 boating-related fatalities in 2023, many of them in Miami-Dade County, according to officials The uptick in overall incidents and fatalities inspired a push for increased boating safety in the state, and for measures to be taken to prevent future boating accidents. As a result, county Mayor Levine Cava has announced the creation of a special Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force.
The new task force will present recommendations to the mayor “related to increasing safety across Biscayne Bay and all county waterways” and educate the public on “safe and responsible recreation,” according to a release from Cava’s office.
“Our county is committed to the protection of both residents and our natural resources. With this task force, we’re empowering trusted community voices and local experts to inform how local government can make our waterways safer for all,” said Cava in a statement. “When residents and visitors boat safely, they’re protecting two of our greatest resources, our people and our environment. And this task force is a critical step in ensuring no other precious lives will be imperiled on our waterways.”
The task force will be composed of eight people, including members of the Lucy Fernandez and Monica Burguera foundations, which represent the families of people who died in boating accidents, along with representatives from the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, the Office of State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the commercial and recreational boating industries, and members engaged in boater safety and bay education, according to the release.
“In honor of Lucy Fernandez and the other precious lives lost due to preventable water safety tragedies, the Lucy Fernandez Foundation has been working tirelessly to promote boater safety and awareness,” said Andy Fernandez of the Lucy Fernandez Foundation. “This is a unique opportunity to create meaningful change at the local level—and to help ensure safer waters for all to enjoy.”
When the task force has completed its work, a summary of its recommendations will be presented to the mayor’s administration, which will then consider “next steps to strengthen safety and avoid fatalities along our Bay.”
