This was a response I got back to an e-mail I sent to the State of Florida regarding a post someone put up earlier concerning boat registration:
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<br>Dear Mr. MacNeil:
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<br>The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is not seeking legislation to register unpowered sailboats or any other non-motor-powered vessels. We are not seeking any legislation that would impose any additional tax burden on the boating public. We have, however, been told by the Marine Industries Association that they would be seeking this statutory amendment.
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<br>The Commission's boating legislation has only three issues:
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<br>1) Amending the definition of abandoned property to include derelict vessels;
<br>2) Eliminating a change to the boating education statute so that it will continue to apply to persons born after September 30, 1980; and,
<br>3) Allowing persons who have a current and valid boating safety education ID card, but who forgot to bring it with them on the boat, to have their ticket dismissed by showing their boating safety education ID card to the clerk of the court.
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<br>Please let me know if you have any questions about these three proposals.
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<br>By the way, undocumented vessels 16 feet in length or larger are presently required to have a state title, even if unpowered. All vessels with any mechanical means of propulsion, including auxiliary sailers and ships' tenders, are presently required to be registered.
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<br>Sincerely
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<br>Captain Alan S. Richard, Coordinator
<br>Boating Safety and Waterway Management Section
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