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Miami-Dade County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) hosted the final meeting of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force where its members presented and voted on impactful, actionable recommendations to help pave the way for a comprehensive plan that promotes safety, accountability, and stewardship of Biscayne Bay.
The final report outlines a strategy built on the following four pillars:
Boater education: public awareness campaign and safety education requirements for boat operators and marina slip holders.
Law enforcement: interagency coordination and standardized processes.
Legislation: expansion of local and state safety requirements to strengthen safety standards and address enforcement gaps.
Waterway management: vessel congestion studies for high risk zones, integrating illegal charter prevention protocols, and modernization of navigational markers, signage, and mooring infrastructure to improve clarity and safety.
“This marks the close of the task force’s charge, and the beginning of the work ahead. As mayor, I am committed to ensuring that the recommendations in this report lead to real, measurable improvements,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who highlighted the importance of a continued partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and residents to implement these strategies.
“Together, we honor the memories of those we have lost by creating a safer, more responsible, and more compassionate boating community for generations to come,” Mayor Levine Cava said.
Created by the mayor in April 2025, the Boater Safety Task Force convened community leaders, law enforcement, and marine safety advocates for over a year to examine the full landscape of boating safety by reviewing relevant data, evaluating existing practices and developing recommendations to reduce injuries and fatalities across Miami Dade County’s waterways.
“This is not just a document; it is a roadmap. Grounded in education, law enforcement, legislation, and waterway management, it offers practical, achievable recommendations we believe can make a real difference in preventing future tragedies,” said Andres Fernandez, from The Lucy Fernandez Foundation. “But the work cannot stop here. The challenges surrounding boater safety cannot be fully addressed in seven months. There must be a permanent, consistent mechanism to track progress, ensure accountability, and address what is yet unknown.
“Because this has always been about more than policy. It is about saving lives and ensuring that what happened to Lucy, Ella, and the countless innocent victims never happens again,” Fernandez said.
Throughout the year, task force members engaged with law enforcement, educators, maritime professionals, and community advocates to identify gaps and develop solutions grounded in data, experience, and compassion. The comprehensive set of recommendations developed by the Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force will now be transmitted to the Miami-Dade County Commission for review and final consideration.
This step ensures that the proposed measures to enhance boater safety, strengthen enforcement, and improve waterway management advance through the appropriate legislative process and are positioned for formal adoption by the county.
“I’m committed to building on our progress,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Micky Steinberg. “We want people to enjoy our waterways safely and responsibly, with safety as our top priority.”
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