TAMPA, Fla. - From Beer Can Island to Shell Key, the Tampa Bay area is a boater’s paradise, whether you own a vessel or rent one online. But maritime professionals say Florida’s relaxed boating requirements are a recipe for accidents, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with local waters.

"I think everyone should have an understanding of how dangerous boats are. People think that they're just toys, and they don't realize how powerful they are," said Griffin Sher, a Florida Maritime Attorney with Sher & Volk, P.A. "Florida law is very simple. All you need to drive a boat is complete a boating safety course. You can do that online. It takes an afternoon. There's no one really verifying whether you're actually paying attention. I know for a fact that people commonly just have someone else

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