Nanny State Goes Boating

Law plays four primary roles in society, which are to protect people from harm, ensure a common good, settle arguments and disputes regarding finite resources and persuade people to do the right things.

In Florida, one lawmaker believes boaters need some supervision and is proposing a law that will take away one of the recreation’s primary assets: freedom.

The proposal (SB 1262) by US Senator Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, would prohibit minors younger than 16 from operating vessels with motors of at least 10 horsepower or sailboats that have hulls of 10 feet or more.

That targets a lot of youth Laser and doublehanded sailors.

The bill does include an exemption for minors under the physical supervision of another person 21 years of age or older. Is the youth coach’s union behind this bill?

However, such a supervising person may not be under the influence. Thank goodness Mr. Farmer put ‘some’ thought into this.

The silver lining is the law would not cover sailboards, because you know, that would be like banning skateboards and we know they are safe.

To read the bill…click here.
To contact Mr. Farmer…click here.