Just before sunset on September 4, 2022, Labor Day Weekend, after a perfect day on the water, a vessel carrying 14 passengers, including two adults and 12 teenagers, violently struck a navigation channel demarcation post, and the boat capsized. The impact ejected most on board, leaving them stranded and fighting for their lives. Some were airlifted to the hospital, suffering from traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and complications due to drowning. Lucy’s injuries, as a result of the accident, were fatal, and she passed away less than twelve hours later. Her parents were by her side.

Have Fun. Be Safe.

“Have fun. Be safe.”

It was a phrase Lucy heard more than once in her life. Her parents said it every time she walked out the door — whether she was off to a school event, hanging out with friends, or just running an errand. It wasn’t meant as a downer or a lecture. For Lucy, it was a way of life. She understood early on that having a good time and being safe weren’t opposites — they belonged together. Living fully meant being mindful, aware, and responsible with every new freedom.

Lucy grew up on boats and around the water. Her dad, Andy, a lifelong boater, and her mom, Melissa, his steady first mate, wanted her to know as much as any young person could about being on the water. From the time she was little, they taught her where to sit, how to tie lines, the do’s and don’ts of boating, and eventually, the “rules of the road.” As she grew older, they enrolled her in a young anglers’ camp, where she sharpened her skills, and she quickly became a valuable asset on board. Lucy loved it all — tying off lines, handling the gear, helping with the deep drop, even cleaning up with a shammy. Dock life, sand between her toes, time on the boat — it was all her happy place. But more than anything, she respected the water. She knew its beauty and also its risks.

That family phrase — Have fun. Be safe. — has since taken on new meaning. What began as a simple reminder spoken at the door has become the Foundation’s motto, and now, the start of a movement. Because joy and safety belong together, and one without the other falls short.

The truth is, boating today comes with new challenges: faster boats, crowded waterways, and constant distractions. That’s why Have Fun. Be Safe. matters more than ever. As a community, we can shape a culture where awareness, safety, and responsibility are second nature — not afterthoughts. We can influence laws, improve infrastructure, and most importantly, teach the next generation what it looks like to enjoy the water while respecting it.

If even one life is spared because someone took those words to heart — Have Fun. Be Safe. — then Lucy’s light carries on, guiding us toward a safer, kinder way of living the life she loved so much.

Lucy’s brother, Kevin, wrote his big sister a three-word love letter the week she passed: “Fly high, bird.” His prayer for her hope, peace, and protection has become the inspiration for the Lucy Fernandez Foundation’s Boater and Watercraft Safety Initiative: FLY HIGH, BIRD (FHB).

In the spirit of Lucy’s love for the water, fun, and safety, to fly high means to boat responsibly. When you display the Lucy Fernandez Foundation’s #flyhighbird flag out on the water, you’re showing that you value safety and responsibility — not just for yourself, but for the lives of every family who shares these waters. Together, by choosing to boat with care, we can look out for one another and ensure this cherished way of life endures for generations to come.

Join the movement!

Buy your flag here.

10 Ways to FLY HIGH, BIRD

Whether you’re new to boating, a seasoned “salty pirate,” or just heading out for a day trip, reviewing safety rules and best practices before you leave the dock— and keeping them top of mind all day—should always be a priority. These 10 reminders are meant to help you boat responsibly, protect lives, and enjoy the water the way Lucy loved it.

1. Get Your Florida Boating Safety ID Card

Education is the most powerful tool we have to prevent tragic accidents on the water. Statistics show that the majority of fatal boating accidents involve operators who have never had formal boater education. Many of these fall outside of the legal requirement, which only applies to those born on or after January 1, 1988. But whether or not the law requires you to take a course, every life on board is your legal and moral responsibility as the captain.

Completing a boating safety course isn’t just about compliance—it’s about accountability. Knowing the rules, understanding your vessel, and learning how to respond in an emergency can mean the difference between a safe day and a devastating one. The Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card, issued by the FWC, is proof that you’ve met the education requirements, and it’s valid for life.

• Learn more about FWC’s Boater Safety Requirements

• Complete the course through the Boat U.S. Foundation

2. Know the Regulations

Reckless and careless behavior on the water has real consequences—not just for victims, but for operators too. You must be familiar with the boating laws and comply with them. Florida’s boating laws are codified primarily in Chapters 327 and 328 of the Florida Statutes; they establish the legal baseline for operating a vessel in this state. Approved safety courses cover the essentials, but that’s only the starting point.

Here’s the truth: laws set the bare minimum. They establish accountability, but it’s up to each of us to go beyond compliance and embrace a culture where safety comes first. Respecting the regulations isn’t about avoiding tickets or fines—it’s about protecting lives, including your own and those of the people you love.

• See the summary of Florida boating laws

3. Know the Navigation Rules

Navigation rules are the “rules of the road” for the water, and at their core, they exist for one reason: to prevent collisions. The most important rule of all is simple—every operator’s number one duty is to avoid a collision.

The U.S. Coast Guard makes it clear: vessels must always proceed at a safe speed, maintain a proper lookout using every available means, and take early and substantial action when a risk of collision exists. That means being attentive, able to stop in time, and decisive enough that other boaters can see and understand your actions. Passing at a safe distance and confirming the other vessel is clear are just as critical.

Most boating accidents involve collisions, and many could have been prevented with basic vigilance. By practicing the Navigation Rules, you’re not just following regulations—you’re fulfilling your responsibility to protect lives.

• Review the USCG’s Navigation Rules

4. Make Proper Use of Life Jackets

Life jackets save lives—plain and simple. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, drowning is the number one cause of death in recreational boating accidents, and more than 80% of victims weren’t wearing one. Too often, people assume they’ll have time to grab a life jacket in an emergency, but accidents on the water happen fast and without warning.

Wearing a life jacket is the easiest, most effective step you can take to prevent tragedy. It’s not just about protecting yourself—it’s about giving your family and friends peace of mind that you’ll come home.

• Learn more about choosing the right fit

• Explore the National Safe Boating Council’s WEAR IT Campaign

5. Be Waterway + Weather-Wise

The water is constantly changing—tides shift, winds rise, storms roll in quickly, and channels or no-wake zones can change from what you remember. Checking conditions before departure isn’t optional; it’s what responsible captains do to protect the lives in their care.

A prepared captain makes safer decisions, avoids unnecessary risks, and models for others what accountability on the water looks like. Knowing your route, the forecast, and the environment you’re entering isn’t just smart—it’s lifesaving.

Helpful apps we love and use before heading out:

• NOAA

• Wind Finder

• MyRadar

• Windy

6. Designate a First Mate

Every safe vessel needs more than one capable leader. A first mate isn’t just backup if the captain becomes ill or incapacitated—they’re an extra set of eyes and ears, helping to spot hazards, monitor conditions, and keep everyone on board safe. Sharing responsibility reinforces a culture where safety is everyone’s job. A trusted first mate can be the difference between reacting too late and preventing an accident altogether.

7. Don’t Boat Under the Influence

Boating under the influence is reckless behavior—and one of the leading causes of fatal boating accidents. Unlike weather or crowded waterways, this risk is entirely within the operator’s control. As the person at the helm, you are both legally and morally responsible for the lives of everyone on board.

Choosing to drink and drive a boat puts every passenger and every family sharing the water at risk. Safety starts with accountability: make responsibility the standard so that fun never comes at the cost of a life.

8. Be a Good Passenger

Safety on the water isn’t just the captain’s job—it’s everyone’s responsibility. Stay seated while underway, hold on if you need to move, and keep belongings secured so they don’t become distractions or hazards. Extra eyes and ears help the captain stay alert—if you see something, say something.

A boat runs safest when everyone on board is engaged and aware. Looking out for one another ensures not just a smoother ride, but that everyone comes home safely.

9. Use Common Sense

Florida consistently ranks among the highest states for boating accidents and deaths—and most of them are preventable. While laws set the baseline for safety, they can’t replace good judgment.

Operating at safe speeds, staying alert, and respecting the limitations of your vessel aren’t just best practices—they’re moral responsibilities. Sound judgment prevents accidents, protects lives, and preserves the lifestyle we’re so fortunate to enjoy.

10. Eliminate Distractions

Florida law prohibits texting while driving a car, yet distractions on the water can be just as dangerous—and even more deadly. The law may not explicitly ban cell phone use on boats, but responsibility goes beyond the letter of the law.

Captains who choose to focus on their phones, music, or other distractions are gambling with the lives of their passengers. Staying alert, hands on the helm, and eyes on the water is the standard we should all live by. On the water, a split second of inattention can cost far more than a ticket—it can cost a life.

Sources: FWC, U.S. Coast Guard, Discover Boating, Safe Boating Campaign, NASBLA, Boating Safety

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