Mayor Daniella Levine Cava hosts first Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force Meeting on July 10

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava will convene the inaugural meeting of the newly created Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 9 am to 12 pm at the Miami-Dade Main Public Library Auditorium (101 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130).

This marks a significant step forward in advancing local solutions to improve safety on our waterways and protect Biscayne Bay. The Task Force was launched in partnership with the Lucy Fernandez Foundation and brings together community leaders, boating safety advocates, and government representatives with the shared goal of promoting safe and responsible recreation throughout Miami-Dade County. 

In 2024, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported 685 boating accidents and 81 boating-related fatalities statewide, with many of those incidents occurring in Miami-Dade County. Lack of boater education remains a major concern: 65% of operators involved in fatal accidents had no formal training.

“Ahead of the 2025 boating season, our County is doubling down on its commitment to protect both residents and our natural resources,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “When residents and visitors boat safely, they’re safeguarding two of our greatest assets – our people and our environment. This task force empowers trusted community voices and experts to help ensure no other precious lives are lost to preventable tragedies on the water.”

The eight-member task force includes representatives from the Lucy Fernandez Foundation, the Monica Burguera Foundation, the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, the Office of State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, and leaders from both commercial and recreational boating industries. Members were selected for their demonstrated commitment to boater safety, water stewardship, and community engagement. 

“In honor of Lucy Fernandez and the other precious lives lost due to preventable boating tragedies, the Lucy Fernandez Foundation has been working tirelessly to promote boater safety, education and awareness.” said Andres Fernandez. “We are honored to join the Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force, and remain deeply committed to collaborating with our elected officials and industry experts on improving boater education and safety, so that no other family has to experience such a devastating loss. We thank Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade County for taking this important step toward creating safer waterways and effecting meaningful change at the local level.”

The Task Force is charged with developing a set of recommendations for the Mayor to improve public education, promote responsible boating behavior, and explore policy and enforcement solutions that reduce the number of boating accidents and fatalities.  

All meetings of the task force will be open to the public and conducted in accordance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Laws. A final summary of recommendations will be presented to the Mayor’s administration to inform future action aimed at improving water safety across the County.