FL S1454

Revises careless vessel operation standards to require operators to avoid endangering persons outside the vessel or causing endangerment through vessel overloading or excessive speed.

Requires law enforcement to issue a safety inspection decal to vessel operators who demonstrate compliance with safety equipment requirements during a safety inspection.

Prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping a vessel solely to inspect safety equipment when a valid safety inspection decal is properly displayed, except when reasonable suspicion of a violation exists.

Specifies placement requirements for safety inspection decals: within 6 inches of the vessel registration decal for motorized vessels, or on the forward port side above the waterline for non-motorized vessels.

Takes effect July 1, 2016.