Memorial Day weekend marks an upswing in the boating season, meaning everyone on the water needs to be prepared for more traffic.
And the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will have additional patrols, not just on the road but on the waterways as well, according to a May 22 press release.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly stated that whether on the road or on the water, people need to make smart choices.
“Memorial Day is more than a long weekend — it is a time to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country,” Staly said in the release. “The best way to show respect for their sacrifice is to make responsible decisions for the freedoms you can enjoy because of their sacrifice.”
In the release, Staly said his agency would have extra patrols on the road and on the water and would be looking for impaired operators, whether in a car or a boat. He recommended everyone should plan for a designated driver, a designated boat captain, or a rideshare.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office patrols the Intracoastal Waterway, the canals, and part of Crescent Lake in western Flagler County and Lake Disston near the southwestern tip of the county.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office also has a marine unit. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is also on the water and, of course, the U.S. Coast Guard.
Primary cause of death in Florida boating accidents
In 2025, FWC reported 43 fatal boating accidents resulting in 51 fatalities.
Drowning was the leading cause of death in fatal boating accidents with 27, or 53%.
Ten of the fatal accidents, or 23%, involved boaters falling overboard.
Eight fatal accidents, or 19%, involved a collision with a fixed object, according to the FWC.
Alcohol or drugs were reportedly involved in 14% of the fatal boating accidents, according to the FWC.
Human powered crafts, like canoes, kayaks, row boats and paddleboards, were involved in 17 accidents, including six fatalities, the FWC stated.
There were a total of 694 “reportable” boating accidents in 2025.
FWC: Stay aware of your surroundings
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will increase patrols during the holiday weekend, the agency stated in an email to The News-Journal.
“Safety on the water remains a top priority for the FWC, and all available resources will be dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for the boating public,” according to the email.
“With the anticipated increase in vessel traffic, FWC encourages all boaters to maintain a proper lookout and 360-degree awareness at all times, designate a sober operator and ensure all required safety equipment is on board and in working condition before heading out,” the email continued.
More than a million vessels are registered in Florida, according to the FWC.
Most common violation: Going too fast in no wake zones
Staly said probably the most common violations his deputies see are people speeding through manatee no-wake zones. He advised boaters to slow down in such zones.
Another common issue is not having the required safety equipment, such as life jackets for everyone on board. Children under 6 are required to wear life jackets.
Sheriff says to have a designated captain, like a designated driver
Staly said the sheriff’s office does not encounter as many drunk boaters as people committing other violations.
“We don’t see that many, what they call BUI, boating under the influence, but we have some of that,” Staly said in an interview with The News-Journal. “Just like a car, you should have a designated captain of the boat, a driver, if you will. So just don’t boat and drink if you’re the captain of the boat.”
Personal watercraft operators and kayakers must also stay aware
Staly had some advice for operators of personal watercraft, like Jet Skis and WaveRunners.
“They need to be aware of the other boats that are around and not running reckless,” Staly said. “We see them, they tend to be fast, and they like to jump wakes of bigger boats and all that is dangerous. You can lose control. Be a responsible boat owner.”
Personal watercraft operators are required to wear life jackets, no matter their age.
Kayakers and canoeists must watch out for traffic.
“They need to be aware of their surroundings, because they’re low in the water,” Staly said, “and always look for these bigger boats, so they don’t get swamped, flipped over or get run over by a boat so it’s safer if they stay near the water’s edge rather than out in the middle of the Intracoastal or canal.”
Busy season starting for boat club
While the number of boats on the water increases in March and April, Memorial Day starts the period with the most activity, said Kyle Gaffney, a member executive with Freedom Boat Club.
“The busiest time for us is Memorial Day to Labor Day,” Gaffney said. “That’s kind of the peak boating season in the area when kids are off for summer break and everyone wants to go to the sand bars and boat.”
The Freedom Boat Club has locations in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ponce Inlet and Palm Coast, to name a few.
He said to stay safe, boaters should not rush.
“The key point is: Slow is pro. Always take your time,” Gaffney said.
He also advises boaters to make sure children properly wear life jackets.
Follow “no wake” or “idle” speed zones such as in manatee zones, in marinas and under bridges.
Be aware of the weather, particularly in Florida.
“It could be beautiful one minute and five minutes later you could be in a lightning storm,” Gaffney said.
Boating Safety Tips
Here are some safe boating tips from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stay alert on the water Memorial Day weekend with boating safety tips
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
