The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's boating safety officers have a plan to help save lives on Florida's waterways. It's quick and easy. It's as simple as filling out a float plan form and leaving it with a person who can notify the FWC in case the boaters do not return on schedule.

"This is an enhancement of the tried-and-true buddy system that swimmers have used for years, said Kent Harvey, an FWC officer who specializes in boating safety. "Let someone know when you are planning to go out on the water and ask that person to monitor your return to land.

The Float Plan form captures information that is vital in a water search-and-rescue operation, such as: identification information about the vessel; the name and emergency contact information for the people who will be on the boating trip; and the destination and expected time of return of the vessel.

"This easy-to-fill-out-form will save precious time in an emergency situation," said Harvey. "Our hope is to get out on the water and quickly rescue boaters in distress, not to search for boaters in distress."

Time is a critical element in a boating rescue operation, especially in the winter. Harvey said people tend to think of boating safety as a summertime issue and may relax their guard during winter. That can have very serious consequences. Florida's beautiful winter weather means our waters are crowded year-round, even during winter holidays. Along with all the usual boating dangers, winter boaters have the added risk of suffering from hypothermia, even in Florida — if a boating accident throws them into the water. That's another reason it is so important to have a fast water-rescue if a boating accident occurs.

So far this year, FWC law enforcement officers have racked up 1,500 more hours in boating search-and-rescue operation than in 2002.

"This is expensive for Florida and dangerous for officers who conduct the searches," said Harvey. "But this pales compared to the suffering of the victims lost on the water and their worried loved ones. We're asking boaters to fill out the form for their own safety, out of consideration for their loved ones, and because it's the right thing for a responsible citizen to do."

In addition to filling out the new float plan, boaters must make sure all equipment on the vessel is in good working condition and make sure to wear, not just carry, a personal flotation device. Wearing PFDs is still the number-one way to save lives on the water.

There were 10 boating-related fatalities in Florida last holiday season (Nov. 1, 2002 - Jan. 31, 2003). Five were alcohol-related. Fifteen percent of 2001's boating deaths occurred in December.

"FWC officers are working hard to improve Florida's boating safety record," said Havey." We need boaters to take a few common-sense precautions to be safe on the water," Harvey said.