Reminder: Don’t forget to use tie down straps on your vessel when towing

May 31, 2016: At 7:15 a.m., this boat came off of its trailer just north of Coco Plum Road in Marathon. It did not have tie down straps holding it to the trailer as required by law. Tie-down straps are an easy and inexpensive way to make sure your boat is secure on its trailer and that this does not happen to you. And using them ensures you are complying with the below Florida statute: A wrecker was called to the scene and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to investigate.

316.525 Requirements for vehicles hauling loads.—

(1) It is the duty of every owner, licensee, and driver, severally, of any truck, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer to use such stanchions, standards, stays, supports, or other equipment, appliances, or contrivances, together with one or more lock chains, when lock chains are the most suitable means of fastening the load, or together with nylon strapping, when nylon strapping is the most suitable means of securing the load, so as to fasten the load securely to the vehicle.

(2) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.

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