Florida Statutes 327.375 – Commercial parasailing
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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(1) The operator of a vessel engaged in commercial parasailing shall ensure that the provisions of this section and s. 327.37 are met.
(2) The owner or operator of a vessel engaged in commercial parasailing may not offer or provide for consideration any parasailing activity unless the owner or operator first obtains and maintains in full force and effect a liability insurance policy from an insurance carrier licensed in this state or approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation or an eligible surplus lines insurer. Such policy must provide bodily injury liability coverage in the amounts of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million annual aggregate. Proof of insurance must be available for inspection at the location where commercial parasailing is offered or provided for consideration, and each customer who requests such proof shall be provided with the insurance carrier’s name and address and the insurance policy number.
(3) The operator of a vessel engaged in commercial parasailing must have a current and valid license issued by the United States Coast Guard authorizing the operator to carry passengers for hire. The license must be appropriate for the number of passengers carried and the displacement of the vessel. The license must be carried on the vessel and be available for inspection while engaging in commercial parasailing activities.
(4) A vessel engaged in commercial parasailing must be equipped with a functional VHF marine transceiver and a separate electronic device capable of providing access to National Weather Service forecasts and current weather conditions.
(5)(a) Commercial parasailing is prohibited if the current observed wind conditions in the area of operation include a sustained wind speed of more than 20 miles per hour; if wind gusts are 15 miles per hour higher than the sustained wind speed; if the wind speed during gusts exceeds 25 miles per hour; if rain or heavy fog results in reduced visibility of less than 0.5 mile; or if a known lightning storm comes within 7 miles of the parasailing area.
Attorney's Note
Under the Florida Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| misdemeanor of the second degree | up to 60 days | up to $500 |
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 327.375
- Commercial parasailing: means providing or offering to provide, for consideration, any activity involving the towing of a person by a motorboat if:(a) One or more persons are tethered to the towing vessel;(b) The person or persons ascend above the water; and(c) The person or persons remain suspended under a canopy, chute, or parasail above the water while the vessel is underway. See Florida Statutes 327.02
- Owner: means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title to a vessel. See Florida Statutes 327.02
- Person: means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other entity. See Florida Statutes 327.02
- Sustained wind speed: means a wind speed determined by averaging the observed wind speed rounded up to the nearest mile per hour over a 2-minute period. See Florida Statutes 327.02
- Vessel: is synonymous with boat as referenced in…. See Florida Statutes 327.02
(b) The operator of the vessel engaged in commercial parasailing shall use all available means to determine prevailing and forecasted weather conditions and record this information in a weather log each time passengers are to be taken out on the water. The weather log must be available for inspection at all times at the operator’s place of business.