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Maritime Law: If you boat in federal waters, take note of a new federal law effective today

By Amanda Ross on April 1, 2021
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Effective today, April 1, 2021, the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) requires operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length to use an engine cut off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) when operating in federal waters. The purpose of the new regulation is to prevent runaway vessels and the danger they pose. An ECOSL attaches the vessel operator to a switch that shuts off the engine if the operator is displaced from control of the vessel, such as when they may fall or be thrown overboard.

Since 2018, the USCG has required all manufacturers of covered recreational boats to equip the vessels with an ECOS. Most vessels are equipped with an ECOS Link. The new provision requires individuals operating recreational vessels with an ECOS Link to use them. Exceptions would include when the boat is idling or docking.

Florida lawmakers have proposed a mirror bill, Ethan’s Law, which would make it a requirement to use an ECOS Link in all public waterways and state waters. If passed, the bill could take effect as early as July 2021.  Seven other states currently have similar laws in place.

Additional information may be found here.

Photo of Amanda Ross Amanda Ross

Amanda focuses her litigation practice in the areas of transportation (automobile, marine, trucking liability), premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death, construction litigation insurance coverage defense and product liability. Prior to joining Henderson Franklin, Amanda worked in the Miami area and handled maritime and…

Amanda focuses her litigation practice in the areas of transportation (automobile, marine, trucking liability), premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death, construction litigation insurance coverage defense and product liability. Prior to joining Henderson Franklin, Amanda worked in the Miami area and handled maritime and admiralty defense, as well as vessel and yacht purchase and sale transactions. Amanda is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Amanda has received much recognition over her legal career, including being named by Florida Trend Legal Elite as a “Best Up and Coming” attorney (2008), by Super Lawyers as a “Florida Rising Star” (2011, 2014-2017), and by the South Florida Legal Guide as a “Top Up & Comer” (2014-2017).

Amanda is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court of Puerto Rico, pro hac vice.

During college, Amanda was an active member of Phi Alpha Delta, pre law fraternity, and was a member of the Varsity Crew. She was awarded the Lynch Foreign Language Award and studied at the Universidad Cumplutense de Madrid.  Amanda went on to law school at the University of Miami School of Law. During law school, she worked with the University of Miami Athletic Department as well as the Miami Dolphins Legal Department.

Amanda is a volunteer for the Teen Court for Lee County and is an active member of the University of Miami Hurricane Club and Stetson University Alumni Board.

Read more about Amanda RossEmail
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  • Posted in:
    Intellectual Property
  • Blog:
    Southwest Florida Business and IP Blog
  • Organization:
    Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.
  • Article: View Original Source

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