2026 - OCWOC Joins local government for 2026 waterway safety meeting
On Wednesday, January 22th 2026, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) participated in a county wide waterway safety meeting. Over 250 operators and local officials attended the event at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.
Presentations by OCWOC, FWC, Okaloosa County, and the Coast Guard helped prepare operators for the 2026 season.
2026 Waterway Safety Meeting Video: https://youtu.be/S1BKq5DmXeI
2025 - Port Watersport Conference
On October 20-21, 2025, OCWOC was a participant of the largest watersport and boat tour operators forum in the nation at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Destin, FL
Hosted by Greg Fisher and Kevin O'Neil of the Awkward Watersport Guys Podcast, the event brings together 300 industry professionals, nearly 30 major exhibitors (including TripAdvisor/Viator, Yamaha, and Seadoo), and educational sessions covering everything from pricing to technology trends.
The forum also serves people interested in entering the watersport and boat tour business.
GetTheCoast Article: https://www.getthecoast.com/largest-watersport-industry-forum-coming-to-destin-fort-walton-beach-in-october/
2025 - OCWOC Joins local government for 2025 waterway safety meeting
On Wednesday, February 12th 2025, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) participated in a county wide waterway safety meeting. Over 200 operators and local officials attended the event at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.
Presentations by OCWOC, FWC, Okaloosa County, and the Coast Guard helped prepare operators for the 2025 season.
2025 Waterway Safety Meeting Video: https://youtu.be/S1BKq5DmXeI
2024 - Port Watersport Conference
On October 21-22, 2024, OCWOC was a participant of the largest watersport and boat tour operators forum in the nation in St. Augustine, FL.
This event is hosted by Greg Fisher and Kevin O'Neil of the Awkward Watersport Guys Podcast, the event brings together 300 industry professionals, nearly 30 major exhibitors, and educational sessions covering everything from pricing to technology trends.
WaveRez Blog article: https://www.waverez.com/blog/general/event-recap-the-port-2024-st-augustine-fl/
2024 - GRASS AWARENESS STICKERS
Alex Fogg with the county assisted in purchasing Seagrass Awareness stickers, so that the County, City of FWB, & City of Destin can give these stickers free of charge to Livery Pontoon Vessels to help protect our Seagrasses. Please contact us at info@boatokaloosa.org to receive your free stickers (while supply lasts)!
2024 - Operation Dry Water
OCWOC supports and collaborates with local, state, and national partners to promote boating safety with Operation Dry Water, where USCG Station Destin was selected as the Hub for the July 4th, 2024 weekend.
GetTheCoast Article: https://www.getthecoast.com/operation-dry-water-launches-in-destin-to-crack-down-on-impaired-boating/
Participating agencies and partners included:
- City of Destin
- OCWOC
- Florida Boating Advisory Council
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
- NASBLA / Operation Dry Water Campaign
- Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO)
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- U.S. Coast Guard (8th District)
- National Safe Boating Council
- Boat Boss
Demonstrations & Assets:
- USCG, FWC, and OCSO patrol vessels
- FWC helicopter
- BU trailer with intoxilyzer
- Command trailer
- Safety demonstrations (life jackets, flares, impairment-simulation goggles)
- More information:
2024 - OCWOC Presents at NASBLA
June 12-13, 2024, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) participated at the FWC Boating Advisory Council with a livery safety presentation.
Agenda: https://myfwc.com/media/a4mpmuda/bacspring2024.pdf
Audio Recordings: https://vimeo.com/961461155
2024 -Trauma Outreach and Injury Prevention (HCA) & Okaloosa County Coastal Resources
HCA coordinated with Okaloosa County to install “No Diving” signage on No Wake signs around Crab Island
HCA partners with OCWOC by providing "No Diving" signage, stickers, and magnets for distribution
GetTheCoast Article: https://www.getthecoast.com/think-before-you-dive-hca-fort-walton-destin-hospital-raises-awareness-of-shallow-diving-dangers-with-new-signage/
2024 - OCWOC Joins local government for 2024 waterway safety meeting
On Thursday, February 8th 2024, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) participated in a county wide waterway safety meeting. Over 200 operators and local officials attended the event at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.
Presentations by OCWOC, FWC, Okaloosa County, and the Coast Guard helped prepare operators for the 2024 season.
You can download the presentation from OCWOC below.
2023 - OCWOC Presents at NASBLA
September 19-22, 2023, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) participated at the annual NASBLA conference in Denver, Colorado presenting a progressive approach to boating safety in Okaloosa County.
2023 - OCWOC Introduces safety stickers
At the Okaloosa County Safety Meeting, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) introduced some safety ideas, which included safety stickers to make customers aware of anything on the vessel.
If interested, please reach out to OCWOC and we can send you an order form. We are selling these at cost ($1-$2, so we can always have inventory available)
Stickers:
- Coalition Stickers, so Law enforcement knows the vessel owner is a member of OCWOC
- 12 Passenger sticker
- 6 Passenger sticker
- Watch Your Step sticker
- No Drinking & Driving sticker
- Boat Handling Guide/Rules of the Road sticker
- Life Jacket location sticker
- Youth Life Jacket location sticker
- First Aid location sticker
- Portable Navigation Lights location sticker
- Combined: Life Jacket, First Aid, NAV Light location sticker
- Combined: Youth Life Jacket, First Aid, NAV Light location sticker
- Engine Cut-off Switch Lanyard sticker
- Slide Feet First Only sticker
- Stay Inside Railing, No Bow Riding sticker
- No Jumping Off Boat sticker
- Paddle Reflective sticker (from USCG Aux)
- If Found sticker (From USCG Aux)
- Wear It Life Jacket sticker
- VHF Radio Call Procedures sticker
2023 - Okaloosa County hosts Water Safety Meeting
On Thursday, February 8th 2023, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) participated in a county wide waterway safety meeting. Over 75 operators and local officials attended the event at the Emerald Coast Convention Center.
Presentations by OCWOC, FWC, Okaloosa County, and the Coast Guard helped prepare operators for the 2023 season.
2023 - OCWOC presents at USCG Recreational Boating Safety Workshop
November 30-December 1, 2022, the Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) participated at the 8th District USCG Recreational Boating Safety Workshop at Hale Boggs Federal Building in downtown New Orleans to talk about the progressive boating safety in Okaloosa County. There were representees from all State Boating Law Administrators from the 8th USCG District in attendance.
2021 - OCWOC led a Safety Meeting with Law enforcement & city officials meet with watersport operato
03.16.2021 (Destin) - about 30 Watersport operators and local law enforcement agencies met Tuesday morning to discuss how they can enhance safety and communication for the 2021 season. The Okaloosa County Watersport Operators Coalition and the City of Destin hosted the hour long conversation which included representatives from the Coast Guard, Florida Fish & Wildlife (FWC), Fort Walton Beach Police Dept., Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Dept., City of Destin Code Enforcement, and Destin Fire Dept. The forum provided an opportunity for watersport operators to get to know the different agencies helping patrol the waterways, and share concerns and ideas for the upcoming season.
One of the officers of the watersport coalition is Greg Fisher, who moderated the forum. Greg, along with several other operators in Okaloosa County, formed the coalition to not only protect the integrity of watersport operators in the county, but improve the dialogue between local law enforcement and government. As Okaloosa County continues to become a premier boating destination in the Southeast, all eyes will be on the waterways and how to make them safe and sustainable.
Maya Schilder, Operations Manager/Co-Owner of XtremeH2o, presented a wristband concept that her company uses to identify licensed drivers. Each color wristband represents either a driver, rider, or whether they are under age. This allows her staff and law enforcement to easily identify customers who decide to break the rules.
There was also discussion regarding large scale Crab Island events that have become a nuisance over the past couple years. In preparation for upcoming events, law enforcement will be adding more patrol during these days. Citizens are encouraged to call the sheriff’s office if they spot reckless boaters.
For more information about the Okaloosa County Watersport Operators Coalition, please visit boatokaloosa.org, or email them at info@boatokaloosa.org.