NewsNBC 6 South Florida – Miami-Dade TagJuly 2, 2026Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade Officials and Family Promote Boating Safety Ahead of July 4th
Miami-Dade officials and the family of Lucy Fernandez held a press conference to promote boating safety and highlight new legal penalties for reckless boating. The event follows the 2025 passage of 'Lucy's Law,' which increases prison sentences for boating accidents involving fleeing the scene.
Read the full story at NBC 6 South Florida – Miami-Dade TagWhy It Matters
New boating regulations now mandate that non-Florida residents of less than five years obtain a boater safety card and impose a four-year minimum prison sentence for boaters who flee the scene of an accident while under the influence.
Key Facts
- Lucy's Law was passed in March 2025 to increase penalties for reckless boating and leaving the scene of a crash.
- Boaters convicted of boating under the influence who leave the scene or fail to contact law enforcement now face a minimum four-year prison sentence.
- Boat operators who have not been Florida residents for at least five years are now required to obtain a boater safety card or equivalent.
- Lucy Fernandez, 17, died in a 2022 boat crash near Boca Chita Key.
- George Pino was acquitted last month of charges related to the 2022 crash.
Who's Mentioned
personAndres Fernandez“Father of Lucy Fernandez and representative of the Lucy Fernandez Foundation.”locationBoca Chita Key“Site of the 2022 boat crash.”personGeorge Pino“South Florida developer who was charged and acquitted in the crash involving Luc”personLucy Fernandez“Victim of a 2022 boating crash whose death inspired new safety legislation.”personDaniella Levine Cava“Miami-Dade County Mayor who spoke at the safety conference.”