My husband and Captain, Tim Hoban, experienced a life-altering tragedy on August 24th, 2024, one calm morning. As he embarked on what was supposed to be a routine maintenance task on our charter boat in Florida, he was unaware of the lurking danger. The cabin was silently filled with fuel vapors. While performing a regular maintenance task—replacing a float switch heating up a heat shrink—the unthinkable happened. The fuel vapors ignited, leading to an explosion. Tim suffered severe burns on 75% of his body, and though he miraculously survived, the boat and all our gear were completely destroyed.

This devastating incident was avoidable. Had there been a fuel vapor detector installed, Tim would have been alerted to the presence of dangerous fumes, and the explosion could have been prevented.

In Florida, with its extensive coastline and numerous water-based activities, the safety of boaters is paramount. Despite the known risks, many recreational, commercial boats, and yachts operate without fuel vapor detectors, leaving countless lives at risk. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, boat fires are most often caused by ignition of flammable liquids or vapors, which could be significantly reduced with preventative measures.

By requiring the installation of fuel vapor detectors on all recreational and commercial vessels in Florida, we can help prevent such tragedies. These detectors are cost-effective and could save lives by warning boaters of unseen dangers before it’s too late. It’s time we prioritize safety on our waters and ensure that no more families have to experience what we did.

Please join me in urging Florida lawmakers to implement legislation making fuel vapor detectors mandatory on all boats and yachts. By signing this petition, you are helping to make Florida's waterways safer for everyone. Let’s work together to prevent future accidents and protect our loved ones.