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 大象传媒 must 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 大象传媒 sponsored activity on 大象传媒 owned vessels, charter vessels or personal vessels.

Three basic requirements must be met to conduct boating activities under the official auspices of 大象传媒:

  1. All boats must be annually inspected by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and an inspection sticker affixed to the vessel in a prominent place.
  2. Anyone seeking approval to operate a motorized vessel under the auspices of 大象传媒 must (1) successfully complete the Florida Safe Boater Course (or Florida-approved equivalent), (2) successfully 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: . The MOCC is provided regularly by 大象传媒鈥檚 Environmental Health and Safety Department free of charge to 大象传媒 personnel. Additional training requirements for airboat operators are specified in the 大象传媒 Diving and Boating Safety Manual.
  3. An 大象传媒 float 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 大象传媒 DBSO. Note: Unless approved, the DBSO does not normally act as the notifying agent if a vessel is overdue.

When utilizing commercial charter vessels it is normally assumed that the vessel owners will have adequate training, that vessels meet all Coast Guard requirements, and that float plan notification will be carried out by the vessel operators. However, it is a prudent action for 大象传媒 personnel engaging a charter company to enquire about their status.

When operating personal vessels, 大象传媒 personnel should always file a float plan copy with the DBSO. By doing so, the activity becomes officially sanctioned and 大象传媒 liability for the excursion is extended.


Online Resources

Florida Boating Handbook
- Arrange a US Coast Guard Auxiliary (VSC).
大象传媒 Float Plan - Under Construction



To Contact the Diving and Boating Safety Officer:

Jimmy Nelson (Interim DBSO)
Diving and Boating Safety Officer
大象传媒
Building 69 Room 112
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, Fl 33431
tel: 772.242.2537
cell: 772.766.1159
email: jnelso40@fau.edu听 (Interim DBSO)

After hours or in the event of emergency:
cell: 772.766.1159