Safety and marine sanitation equipment inspections; probable cause; secondary offense
Known as the Florida Vessel Safety Law
The act spans §§ 327–327 (63 sections).
History.--s. 9, ch. 59-400; s. 14, ch. 63-105; s. 1, ch. 65-361; s. 11, ch. 84-188; s. 6, ch. 94-241; s. 954, ch. 95-148; s. 2, ch. 2025-35
(1) An officer may not board any vessel or perform a vessel stop in this state unless the officer has probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred or is occurring.
(2) An officer may not perform a vessel stop or board a vessel for the sole purpose of performing a safety or marine sanitation equipment inspection. A violation of safety or marine sanitation equipment requirements is a secondary offense, rather than a primary offense.
Official source: Online Sunshine (Florida Legislature). Reproduced from public-domain Florida statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.