SB606, also known as the Boating Safety Act of 2022, is a state bill that affects marinas and boat rental operators in Florida. The bill requires all boat rental (livery) companies, both commercial and peer-to-peer operators, to obtain a no-cost permit through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In addition, boat rental operators must secure an insurance policy that meets the specifications set under SB606, deliver pre-rental safety and operational instruction to renters, report any accidents or unnecessarily overdue rentals to the FWC, and display boating safety information in a place visible to the renting public. As a marina owner, it is important to understand the requirements of SB606 and take the necessary steps to comply in order to protect your business and ensure the safety of your renters on the water.

As a marina owner or operator in Florida, you are likely aware of the requirements of SB606, also known as the Boating Safety Act of 2022. This state bill requires marinas to extend coverage to your renters: SB606 requires boat rental operators to either have commercial coverage that extends to the renter (insurance policy must provide coverage of at least $500,000 per person and $1 million per event. The livery shall have proof of such insurance available for inspection at the location where livery vessels are being leased or rented, or location where livery vessels are being leased or rented, or offered for lease or rent, and shall provide to each renter the insurance carrier’s name and address and the insurance policy number) or present the renter with the opportunity to purchase coverage against any accident, loss, injury, property damage, or other casualty caused by or resulting from the operation of the livery vessel of at least $500,000 per person and $1 million per occurrence. If the renter declines to purchase such insurance, the renter must sign and date the following acknowledgement, in at least 14 point font, a copy of which must be retained by the livery for at least one year after the rental period expires, inserting the price of the coverage they declined.

vQuip is the leading provider of boating safety procedures in the boat rental industry. vQuip can help your business become SB606 compliant. Please reach out to learn more about how they can help your business become compliant!

If you are a marina owner or operator and you do not comply with the requirements of SB606, you may be subject to legal consequences and financial liability. It is important to understand and comply with the requirements of SB606 in order to protect your business and ensure the safety of your renters on the water. Non-compliance with SB606 can result in fines, penalties, and other legal consequences, as well as the potential for financial liability in the event of an accident or other unforeseen event.

In addition to the insurance requirements, SB606 also requires boat rental operators to obtain a no-cost livery permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, deliver pre-rental safety and operational instruction to renters, report any accidents or unnecessarily overdue rentals to the FWC, and display boating safety information in a place visible to the renting public. As a marina owner, it is important to understand and comply with all of the requirements of SB606 in order to protect your business and ensure the safety of your renters on the water.

You can learn more about SB606 and how it affects your marina by visiting the website of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This website provides information about the requirements of SB606, as well as resources and guidance for marina owners and operators. Additionally, you can work with a knowledgeable insurance provider, such as VQuip, to learn more about the requirements of SB606 and how to comply with them.