Florida Statutes 327.66 – Carriage of gasoline on vessels
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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(1)(a) A person shall not:
1. Possess or operate any vessel that has been equipped with tanks, bladders, drums, or other containers designed or intended to hold gasoline, or install or maintain such containers in a vessel, if such containers do not conform to federal regulations or have not been approved by the United States Coast Guard by inspection or special permit.
2. Transport any gasoline in an approved portable container when the container is in a compartment that is not ventilated in strict compliance with United States Coast Guard regulations pertaining to ventilation of compartments containing gasoline tanks.
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 327.66
- Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
- Commission: means the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. See Florida Statutes 327.02
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
- Operate: means to be in charge of, in command of, or in actual physical control of a vessel upon the waters of this state, to exercise control over or to have responsibility for a vessel's navigation or safety while the vessel is underway upon the waters of this state, or to control or steer a vessel being towed by another vessel upon the waters of the state. 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
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Registration: means a state operating license on a vessel which is issued with an identifying number, an annual certificate of registration, and a decal designating the year for which a registration fee is paid. See Florida Statutes 327.02
- Vessel: is synonymous with boat as referenced in Florida Statutes 327.02
- Waters of this state: means any navigable waters of the United States within the territorial limits of this state, the marginal sea adjacent to this state and the high seas when navigated as a part of a journey or ride to or from the shore of this state, and all the inland lakes, rivers, and canals under the jurisdiction of this state. See Florida Statutes 327.02
(2)(a) Gasoline possessed or transported in violation of this section and all containers holding such gasoline are declared to be a public nuisance. A law enforcement agency discovering gasoline possessed or transported in violation of paragraph (1)(a) shall abate the nuisance by removing the gasoline and containers from the vessel and from the waters of this state. A law enforcement agency that removes gasoline or containers pursuant to this subsection may elect to:
1. Retain the property for the agency’s own use;
2. Transfer the property to another unit of state or local government;
3. Donate the property to a charitable organization; or
4. Sell the property at public sale pursuant to s. 705.103.
(b) A law enforcement agency that seizes gasoline or containers pursuant to this subsection shall remove and reclaim, recycle, or otherwise dispose of the gasoline as soon as practicable in a safe and proper manner.
(3) All conveyances, vessels, vehicles, and other equipment described in paragraph (1)(a) or used in the commission of a violation of paragraph (1)(a), other than gasoline or containers removed as provided in subsection (2), are declared to be contraband.
(a) Upon conviction of a person arrested for a violation of paragraph (1)(a), the judge shall issue an order adjudging and ordering that all conveyances, vessels, vehicles, and other equipment used in the violation shall be forfeited to the arresting agency. The requirement for a conviction before forfeiture of property establishes to the exclusion of any reasonable doubt that the property was used in connection with the violation resulting in the conviction, and the procedures of chapter 932 do not apply to any forfeiture of property under this subsection following a conviction.
(b) In the absence of an arrest or conviction, any such conveyance, vessel, vehicle, or other equipment used in violation of paragraph (1)(a) shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture as provided by the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
(c) As used in this subsection, the term “conviction” means a finding of guilt or the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld or whether imposition of sentence is withheld, deferred, or suspended.
(4) All costs incurred by the law enforcement agency in the removal of any gasoline, gasoline container, other equipment, or vessel as provided in this section shall be recoverable against the owner thereof. Any person who neglects or refuses to pay such amount shall not be issued a certificate of registration for such vessel or for any other vessel or motor vehicle until the costs have been paid.
(5) Foreign flagged vessels entering United States waters and waters of this state in compliance with 19 U.S.C. § 1433 are exempt from this section.