18 Years After Losing Son to Boating Accident, Mom Pushes for Lucy’s Law: ‘How Many More Have to Die?’
A New Bill for Stronger Penalties and Boater Education
A new bill filed for the 2025 Florida legislative session is welcome news for Isabel Castellanos. HB 289, named “Lucy’s Law,” aims to strengthen penalties for those operating boats recklessly or under the influence.
A Personal Tragedy Ignited a Lifelong Mission
Castellanos began her fight for change in 2007 after her son, Osmany Castellanos, died in a boating accident. “This pain is forever. It’s a life sentence to us,” the mother said.
A Fateful Day at Elliott Key
Osmany Castellanos was killed on July 8, 2007, after spending the day in Elliott Key. The Miami-Dade lifeguard was 23 at the time of the tragedy.
The Accident and Its Aftermath
“My son was on the bow one leg in, one leg out with the girls sitting with him. There was 12 people including him on the boat. As soon as [the captain] did the quick left turn my son flew in the air and went towards the propellers,” said Castellanos.
A Foundation and a Mission to Save Lives
In the months following the accident, Castellanos opened a foundation and made it her mission to save lives.
A Compromise, But Not Enough
In 2009, Florida legislators passed the Osmany Castellanos Boating Safety Education Act. Isabel’s original goal was to require anyone operating a boat, regardless of age, to take a boater education course. The proposition was to implement the change in phases. State lawmakers, however, watered down Osmany’s Law. Instead of phasing it in, the boater education course is only mandatory for boaters born after January 1, 1988.
How Many More Have to Die?
“How many more have to die to make changes to the laws. We need laws and it’s not so difficult and I don’t think the boating industry should be pissed off and give us a hard time in legislature to pass laws when we’re not saying it’s the boat causing the accident. The boat didn’t kill them, no, it’s a human being that’s driving the boat,” Castellanos said.
A New Push for Change: Lucy’s Law
The mother is now rooting for Lucy Fernandez’s family in their fight to pass Lucy’s Law. The law is named after the teen who died after the boat she shared with 13 others hit a channel marker and capsized near Boca Chita Key on September 4, 2022. She was a senior at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami during the time of the accident.
What’s in Lucy’s Law?
In addition to stronger penalties, the measure would require boater safety education for all operators of a vessel, regardless of age.
A Call to Action
Castellanos hopes this time, lawmakers make the right choice. “We need them to work with us. There is no reason that they should not bring boating laws to help save lives. These are our kids. They might not be 10 or 5, but they are still our children at 23, at 17. They are still our children,” she said.
Conclusion
The Fernandez family says they plan to work together with legislators, avid boaters, and the marine industry to find common ground and save lives.
FAQs
* What is Lucy’s Law?
+ Lucy’s Law is a new bill filed for the 2025 Florida legislative session, which aims to strengthen penalties for those operating boats recklessly or under the influence and require boater safety education for all operators of a vessel, regardless of age.
* What is the purpose of Lucy’s Law?
+ The purpose of Lucy’s Law is to save lives and make boating safer in Florida.
* What is the current boating safety education law in Florida?
+ The current boating safety education law in Florida is mandatory for boaters born after January 1, 1988.
* What is the goal of Lucy’s Law?
+ The goal of Lucy’s Law is to make boating safety education mandatory for all operators of a vessel, regardless of age.
