Florida’s “Boater Freedom Act” Raises Safety Concerns After Drowning Incident
Naples, FL – A new Florida law restricting random boat safety checks is drawing scrutiny following a recent drowning on the Estero River and a push for greater openness from the family of the victim. The “Boater Freedom Act,” which took effect July 1st, limits law enforcement’s ability to stop and inspect vessels unless there’s reasonable suspicion of a violation.
The law was prompted by concerns over government overreach, but critics worry it could lead to a decline in boater safety. This concern was amplified after the April 19th death of Thomas Boismenu, whose family felt initial reports from authorities were incomplete.
“The idea to make this one of our Sunday front-page stories started after the daughter of the victim in a boating incident contacted me, saying the details authorities released did not paint the full picture,” explained Naples Daily News and The News-Press reporter Tomas Rodriguez. “Once I had that part of the reporting done…we were able to paint the bigger picture about how the new legislation could possibly affect boaters.”
Watch: 911 call related to the april 19th drowning on the Estero River
Rodriguez’s reporting, alongside breaking news editor Stacey Henson and executive editor cindy McCurry-Ross, balances official statistics with deeply personal accounts, highlighting the potential consequences of the new legislation. The story delves into how Florida authorities are adapting to the changes, including increased focus on education and responding to incidents.
Key Takeaways:
* Restricted Checks: The Boater Freedom Act considerably limits random boat safety inspections by law enforcement.
* Family Concerns: The family of a recent drowning victim raised concerns about the completeness of official reports, sparking further investigation.
* Balancing freedom & Safety: The law aims to protect boater freedom, but raises questions about its impact on overall safety on Florida’s waterways.
* Law Enforcement Adaptation: authorities are shifting focus to education and incident response in light of the new regulations.
While data analysis presented challenges, Rodriguez noted the most arduous aspect of the reporting was revisiting conversations with grieving families. “Going back through conversations with relatives in tragedies like this is always the most challenging,” he said.
READ THE FULL STORY: [https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2025/08/13/florida-authorities-ready-for-anything-out-at-sea-to-keep-boaters-safe/84436669007/](https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2025/08/13/florida-authorities-ready-
