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.

Results from the investigation are still pending.

Have fun. Be safe.
Fly high, bird.

“Have fun. Be safe.” Whether it was a night out with friends, a school-sponsored event, or a trip to the grocery store, Lucy heard the message from her parents every time she walked out the door. It meant having a good time wasn’t remiss of being careful and conscious of responsibilities; the two weren’t mutually exclusive. Instead, living life to the fullest required a level of mindfulness that grew with every new liberty and freedom.  

Lucy grew up on boats and around the water her entire life. Her father, Andy, an avid and lifelong boater, and mother, Melissa, his savvy first mate, wanted Lucy to know as much as anyone her age could about boats. As a little girl, they taught her how to behave on a boat, where to sit, the do’s and don’ts, and, when she was old enough to understand, the “rules of the road.” Approaching the teenage years, concerned with safety and acquiring knowledge and experience, her parents enrolled her in a young anglers’ summer camp where she honed her recreational boating skills. The classes proved invaluable as she became an asset with every passing year. She was proficient in tying lines and maneuvering in and around them. She was lethal with the deep drop, a chamois (aka ‘shammy’), and the aux! Lucy loved dock life and everything that encompassed the water, and she appreciated every grain of sand she ever had a chance to sink her toes into. Above all, Lucy learned to respect the potential dangers of the ocean and understood the responsibility that came with the privilege of handling a boat.

Like many families raising kids in South Florida, the Keys, and beyond, water is a way of life. A passion and love for its beauty have been instilled in them since birth, and Lucy’s upbringing was no different from theirs. Still, in today’s world, faster boats, more congested waterways, too many distractions with cell phones, and more give rise to dangers associated with a lack of awareness around boating safety when moving at higher speeds, thus creating challenges that may not have existed before. The times are different, and because of it, we must re-evaluate how these influences affect our behavior, our choices, and the impact those consequences have. We owe it to them to cultivate an attitude of respect, care, and awareness around boating regulations and safety because the stakes are higher than ever.

As a community, we can create meaningful change by shaping the culture and influencing and supporting laws that emphasize improvements to the infrastructure of our waterways as much as our roadways and make adhering to safety laws that help minimize accidents and prevent tragedies a top priority for lawmakers, residents, businesses, and visitors. We can teach the next generation what it is to have a fantastic time out on the water while being conscious and respectful of those around us, remind them how lucky we are to live in a coastal city, and model for them what it means to be responsible for ourselves and the precious lives of those under our care. Preventing even one senseless loss of life through our collective efforts will keep our children safe and preserve this beautiful way of life that Lucy loved so much.

Lucy’s brother Kevin wrote his big sister a 3-word love letter the week she passed that read, “Fly high, bird.” His prayer of hope, peace, & protection has become our inspiration and the anthem for the Lucy Fernandez Foundation’s Boater and Watercraft Safety Initiative- FLY HIGH, BIRD (FHB). In the spirit of love for the water, fun, AND safety, to fly high means to boat responsibly. To display the Lucy Fernandez Foundation’s #flyhighbird flag while out on the water symbolizes that you respect and care about boater and watercraft safety because you respect and care about the lives of our families…yours and mine. Let our message, “Have fun. Be safe,” remind you how precious and fragile life is and how much you matter to those that love you most.

Join our initiative and fly it high!

Buy your flag here.

Whether you’re an amateur boater, a salty pirate, or an adventurous day-tripper, reviewing boating safety rules and practices before leaving the dock and keeping them top of mind as you go about your day should be a top priority. Below are a few safety tips, best practices, and resources to help you boat responsibly and enjoy your time on the water.

1. Get Your Florida Boating Safety ID Card

To operate a motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or greater, Florida law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, to complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the FWC.

Currently, Florida does not have a "boating license." The Boating Safety Education Identification Card is proof of successful completion of the educational requirements and is valid for life.

Check out more FAQs regarding FWC’s Boater Safety Requirements and where to complete the course in person or online. Or through the Boat U.S. Foundation here.

2. Know the Regulations

Linked below is a summary of Florida's boating laws as of February 2022, found in Ch. 327 and Ch. 328 of Florida Statutes. This information is included in all certified boating safety courses taught in Florida.

Did you know? There is no minimum age to operate a boat. However, the personal watercraft regulations and boating safety requirements linked are age specific and would apply.

See the recap here.

3. Know the Navigation Rules

Maintain a proper lookout and respect buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your safety and the safety of the boats around you.

To learn more, check out the USCG's Navigation Rules information page.

4. Make Proper Use of Life Jackets

Making proper use of life jackets is about prioritizing personal safety and being prepared for unexpected situations in aquatic environments. It's a simple yet effective precaution that can make a significant difference in preventing water-related accidents and tragedies. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, drowning is the number one cause of death in most recreational boating accidents. Of those fatalities, over 80 percent of the victims were found not wearing a life jacket.

Learn more about Life Jackets, Vests, & PFDs: Choosing the Right Fit and see the National Safe Boating Council’s WEAR IT Campaign. 

5. Be Waterway + Weather-Wise

Always check local, route, and destination weather and water conditions, including wind speed, wind direction, and seas, in addition to channels, reefs, and no-wake zones en route, among others, before departure. Ensure it’s safe to go out and stay safe while out there.

Here are some helpful apps we love & use before heading out. Download them below:

NOAA

Wind Finder

My Radar

Windy

6. Designate a First Mate

Make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of the boat’s handling, operations, and general boating safety, in case the primary operator falls ill or is incapacitated and someone else needs to get the boat back to shore.

7. Don’t Boat Under the Influence

We all know about the dangers of drinking and driving, so we assign designated drivers and don’t get in the car when an intoxicated person is behind the wheel. The same mindset should apply to the water regardless of the circumstances.

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) is the leading cause of fatal boating accidents, and operating a boat while drunk is illegal.

Hear about Sea Tow’s Sober Skipper Campaign and how you can pledge to have a Sober Skipper at the helm to help eliminate 100% of preventable BUI accidents.

8. Be a Good Passenger

Safety on a boat isn’t just the Captain’s responsibility. It’s everyone’s job to do their part as responsible passengers by knowing how to behave appropriately and what to steer clear of. Standing and walking around while the vessel is underway is dangerous for the passenger and can distract the driver. Pick your spot and stay put. And if you must maneuver around, hold on. Safety rails ensure you always have a secure place to grab onto. Sea legs take time and practice, and a rough day at sea or an unexpected wake can send anyone, even experienced boaters, who aren’t holding on overboard.

Stay calm but vigilant of approaching vessels, channel markers, floating objects, or potential dangers. Multiple eyes and ears serve as the best first mate a captain can have. So communicate if you see something up ahead.

A responsible captain at the helm is fully prepared and has your best interest at heart, but they need your cooperation. Remember to keep your belongings organized and packed neatly and securely. Losing hats, towels, cushions, and flip-flops because they flew off the boat is par for the course but can also serve as distractions and potential hazards. 

9. Use Common Sense

The adage that is having common sense is not too common is true, especially when you see mistakes made while out at sea. They can happen to anyone. Still, we must do our best to make sound judgments when situations present themselves unexpectedly, as they often do, and be prepared to react. Florida is among the leading states in boater accidents and boater deaths. Many of these avoidable accidents and tragedies were caused by carelessness.

Operate at safe speeds, especially in crowded areas. Know the capabilities and limitations of the vessel you are handling, be it a boat, jet ski, or any other watercraft. Stay alert. Steer clear of large vessels that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. These, among many other situations you face in the water, can pose a real danger to you, your vessel, and your passengers.

Remaining vigilant is not limited to when the boat is in motion. Use common sense and your best judgment when anchored, too- make sure all engines are off, the boat is in neutral (not idle), and ask your Captain if it’s safe before getting in and out of the water. Captains, know where your guests and passengers are at all times. Watch for your boat’s anchor and surrounding anchor lines. Put up the dive flag and keep a safe distance between you and other vessels or swimmers. Watch for approaching boats and watercraft in the area and say something if you feel they’re operating carelessly or recklessly.

10. Eliminate Distractions

Don’t contribute to the overwhelming number of things you already have to be mindful of by adding unnecessary distractions. Don’t text and drive- it’s the law for roadways and should be for waterways too. Don’t check emails and respond to texts; use your radio and auxiliary channels to communicate while out there. Let your first mate play DJ or give the Aux to the teenagers to handle. With the overwhelming number of people on the water, and the speed of some of these newer boats, we need all senses ready to react, all eyes peeled, and all hands on deck.

It can become a matter of life and death in a split second.

Sources: www.myfwc.com, www.uscgboating.org, www.discoverboating.com, www.safeboatingcampaign.com, www.nasbla.com, www.boatingsafety.com

Download our 10 Ways to fly high, bird Flyer here.