Safety and marine sanitation equipment inspections; probable cause; secondary offense.
F.S. 327.56
in effect(1)
An officer may not board any vessel or perform a vessel stop in this state unless the officer has probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred or is occurring.
(2)
An officer may not perform a vessel stop or board a vessel for the sole purpose of performing a safety or marine sanitation equipment inspection. A violation of safety or marine sanitation equipment requirements is a secondary offense, rather than a primary offense.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter327/AllFetched: 7/8/2026