Boaters could be charged with Racketeering for Accidentally Kill or injuring a Manatee!

BOATERS COULD BE CHARGED WITH RACKETEERING FOR ACCIDENTALLY KILLING OR INJURING A MANATEE OR OTHER PROTECTED SPECIES

There is a bill working its way through the Florida that in its current form is dangerous to our industry and your customers.

From Missy Timmins, Marine Industries of Florida lobbyist. Racketeering.
Senate Bill 776: by Senator Gainer and House Bill 783 by Overdorf. We have met with Senators and need this to be changed. As written, anyone who has a “take” (including an incidental take) of a protected species can be charged under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization), the same law used to charge mob bosses.

While FWC says they would not pursue a RICO violation for an incidental take, this law would allow it and there is no guarantee FWC would not use it in the future. This can include very heavy penalties, forfeiture of property (they can take your boat), and jail time.

The Senate bill is ready for the Senate floor. The House bill has two more committee stops. Please, contact your legislator and ask them to change “take” to “collect, harvest or capture”.

Sorry for the short notice but time is of the essence. This will be on the floor again tomorrow (Thursday, 3/25), so please reach out today and let your opinion be known!

Email Scams – intercepting emails

Good Afternoon Membership,

We recently found out about a couple of our members having their emails intercepted by scammers. In one instance an email with wiring instructions had been intercepted. Fortunately, the sender called the recipient and verified bank information, which was incorrect. In a second incident, wiring instructions were sent to a contractor for vendor payment, however it wasn’t from the vendor, but rather a scammer.

We are hearing about more of these types of situations. Please be cautious, call the person you are wiring/ACHing payments too, to confirm the information, request that anyone you do business with call you and confirm your wiring/ACH info before sending as well. Other suggestions we have received are two factor authentication on your email settings, regularly check your rules settings under your email for forwarding orders you didn’t setup, firewalls, and running various virus software, malware, spyware software (to include browsers), as well as removing any/all software that allows outsiders to call into your computer. Hackers love these programs and they can gain access to all of your data in a few clicks.

We recommend consulting an outside IT person, however wanted to share what we have discovered so far. Be safe and diligent! Don’t let others steal your hard end money.

Kelly White, ED

“No Notice” work

The Hurricane Sally Emergency Final Order has not been extended. The Department can no longer issued Emergency Field Authorizations under the Hurricane Sally Emergency Order. However, “No Notice” work can be completed for up to one year after the execution date of the last Order, which is November 13, 2020.

FMCA Executive Order Extension Request

February 18, 2021

Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee Florida 32399-0001

Dear Governor DeSantis,

We submit this request on behalf of the Florida Marine Contractor’s Association representing a large group of professional marine contractors from around the state. As you are aware, our great state has been impacted by numerous devastating hurricanes over the last decade. Most recently in the panhandle was Hurricane Michael in 2018 and just recently Hurricane Sally in 2020.

After Hurricane Michael came ashore, you extended the Emergency Executive Order 18-276 with new Executive Order 19-207 which then expired approximately 1 year and 1 month from the date of the storm. Thus, alleviating the requirement of contractors to follow any applications or procedures imposed by statute, rule, or order. By granting this, it allowed contractors to perform services for the community during their time of need without delays due to bureaucracy.

Hurricane Sally devastated the panhandle 5 months ago and the Emergency Executive Order 20-224 which was extended by Executive Order 20-279 has since expired on January 13, 2021. We are requesting you extend the same Emergency Executive functions as was granted after Hurricane Michael for an additional 8 months. This would again allow the contractor’s the ability to restore their communities and provide much needed relief to those suffering in the aftermath. The granting of this extension request would help reduce burdensome paperwork and time constraints, which ultimately delays recovery.

Thank you for always considering the needs of the citizens of the State of Florida. Your good works do not go unnoticed.

Respectfully, Respectfully,

Kelly M. White John W. Loftis
Executive Director President

OSHA – Personal Protection Equipment today at 2pm Zoom

Kelly White is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Monthly Safety Meeting –
Time: Feb 16, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Third Tue, until Nov 16, 2021, 10 occurrence(s)
Feb 16, 2021 02:00 PM
Mar 16, 2021 02:00 PM
Apr 20, 2021 02:00 PM
May 18, 2021 02:00 PM
Jun 15, 2021 02:00 PM
Jul 20, 2021 02:00 PM
Aug 17, 2021 02:00 PM
Sep 21, 2021 02:00 PM
Oct 19, 2021 02:00 PM
Nov 16, 2021 02:00 PM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJwofu-prTgvE9dERRtD9EYxFdtw1KjBjoii/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCgqzIsG9eWtRCERow-GYr4M-vztnZYj_pZuS3XFwQKRzruEOZWJeNUGvra

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 985 9613 3593
Passcode: 192754
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