Florida Keys to be Target of "Operation Liveaboard"
Crackdown supposedly to make water safer & cleaner

Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2009

 


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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and its marine law
enforcement partners -- the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S.
Coast Guard and Monroe County Sheriff's Office -- are gearing up for Operation
Liveaboard. The operation will focus on areas with high densities of vessels with
people living aboard them in the Florida Keys.

From Key Largo to Key West, officers will check these vessels' occupants for
compliance with Coast Guard-required safety equipment, state registration
requirements, nighttime anchor lighting and marine toilet specifications.

"This operation is important on two fronts," said FWC Lt. Liz Riesz. "First, from
an environmental standpoint, enforcement during this operation will help keep the
water clean and the reefs healthy. This benefits people recreating on or in the
water and all marine life. Secondly, this operation proactively addresses boating
safety. We want to make sure live-aboard boat occupants are running the proper
lights. This will help prevent boating accidents."

The three-day operation will take place in late February.

For a summary of state boating laws, visit MyFWC.com/boating
<http://www.myfwc.com/boating/> .