Finally a good idea from the politicians

[cabo_sailor]

Florida has a new law that goes into affect. While many of us have EPIRBs, many do not for a variety of reasons. Florida's new law does not require all boats be equipped with EPIRB's but if you are, you get a discount on the annual registration fee. The amount of discount depends upon the size of the boat.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bil...illText/__/PDF

Rich

[dwedeking2]

And then next year they'll raise the registration rate by 2x the discount to make up for lost revenue.

If they don't need the money to fund current operations they should discount everyone's registration fee by that much (or a smaller amount so the end total revenue dollars wind up the same).

[cabo_sailor]

Or they are hoping to recover the lost revenue with more efficient SAR operations. Perhaps, instead of days of fruitless search costing thousands, they can get close in less time.



Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[dwedeking2]

Legitimate question: Does the state do SARs in Florida? (I see SeaTow - private firm - and hear CG on the radio, but haven't seen or a seen/heard a state agency for rescues)

[cabo_sailor]

Sherif does, pretty certain Fish and Wildlife if it's near coastal and I think one or two other agencies. I also don't know if the state has to pick up some of the Coast Guard tab. Perhaps someone has better info.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Stumble]

Anyone who is nearby will get roped into a SAR if there isn't communication with the distressed vessel. So ya, all state agencies that have maritime resources nearby will start looking. Having an EPIRB signal however means the USCG won't necessarily put out a call for assistance, they just go and pick the people up.

I don't know about a cost/benefit analysis, but I like the idea.

[psk125]

Maybe the real reason is so they can use the EPRIB beacon to make sure the tax bill gets sent to the right place? !

[HopCar]

The law was enacted at he suggestion of the parents of two 14 year old boys who were lost at sea about a year ago. Their boat was found floating upside down a couple of days after they didn't return.

[Hearts Content]

Having been a navigator in the USCG, I find these comments of the "cost" of SAR operations to be completely ridiculous and uninformed.

The planes and boats don't just sit around waiting for the call. They're in constant use training and executing various law enforcement, fisheries and just general operations and training.

To the rescue crews a SAR is why they signed up. They could give a rats ass how the person got I trouble but they're fired up to go save them. The only thing that pissed us off was a hoax.

We constantly rescued people in sailboats heading to Bermuds in hurricane season. My good friend and rescue swimmer got a DFC rescuing folks in a sailboat caught in a hurricane. Should they have been there? No. Was it dangerous ... You bet. It's a dangerous job and that's the draw. Endless boredom sprinkled with brief moments of incredible excitement.

the planes and boats would be operating in some fashion anyways. So the cost logic is BS.