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 Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵmust 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 must be affixed to the vessel in a prominent place.
2. Anyone seeking approval to operate a motorized vessel under the auspices of Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵmust (1) complete the Florida Safe Boater Course (or Florida-approved equivalent), (2) 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:Ìý. The MOCC is provided regularly by FAU’s Environmental Health and Safety Department free of charge to Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵpersonnel. Additional training requirements for airboat operators are specified in the Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵDiving and Boating Safety Manual.Ìý
3. An Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵfloat 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 Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵDBSO. Note: Unless approved, the DBSO does not normally act as the notifying agent if a vessel is overdue.
4. When operating personal vessels, Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵpersonnel should always file a float plan copy with the DBSO. By doing so, the activity becomes officially sanctioned, and FAU's liability for the excursion is extended.

To apply to become a qualified boater, contact the DBSOs below.

Training availability can be viewed on the Diving and Boating Training Page.

Charter vessels

The use of chartered vessels requires the following qualifying documentation before students, faculty, and staff affiliated with Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵcan embark on the charter vessel. Provide these documents with the requisition in WorkDay or directly to the DBSO.

Ìý Ìý1. ÌýUSCG Certificate of Inspection (for chartered vessels) or Vessel Safety Check (for non-chartered vessels)

Ìý Ìý2.Ìý Certificate of Insurance listing Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵas additionally insured with the following language added: The Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ Board of Trustees, its officers, employees, volunteers, representatives, and agents are additionally insured on the General Liability.

Ìý Ìý3.Ìý Copy of the captain’s license or equivalent training documentation (similar to MOCC/MOTC standards)

Online Resources

Visual Safety CheckÌý- Arrange a US Coast Guard Auxiliary (VSC).
Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵFloat Plan - Under Construction

To Contact the Diving and Boating Safety Officer:

After hours or in the event of an emergency:
cell: 772.766.1159 or 561-334-4412

Boat and Vessel Safety Inspections

All boats and vessels used under the auspices of Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ, regardless of propulsion, are required to have an annualÌý . The only exceptions are boats or vessels which already carry a US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI). Inspections are good for one calendar year (January 1 - December 31) and current inspection stickers must be displayed in a prominent place on each Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵvessel.

Inspections are conducted as a free service by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and in most cases Inspectors will come to where your a vessel is located. To locate the nearest US CGAux Inspector and arrange a free inspection, click on the image below.