Florida State Laws
- A person must be at least 18 years of age to rent a personal watercraft in Florida.
- A person must be at least 16 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida rented from Xtr3me Vortex, LLC - with parent legal guardian on said (PWC) or within slight on another (PWC) at all times.
- Each person operating, riding on, must wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for personal watercraft use.
- The operator of a personal watercraft must attach the engine cutoff switch lanyard (if equipped by the manufacturer) to his/her person, clothing or PFD.
- Personal watercraft may not be operated from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, even if navigation lights are used.
- Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision is classified as reckless operation of a vessel (a first-degree misdemeanor).
Boater Education
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required.
- to either have successfully completed a Life-time National State Boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or Temporary Certificate examination and have in their possession a boating education ID card and a photo identification card before operating a vessel with a moto of 10 HP or more in Florida.
- Identification cards for persons completing the course or the equivalency exam are good for a lifetime. Temporary Certificate exams are made available to the public through contractors. The temporary certificate is valid for three months from the issue date can be found by simple google search.
Reckless & Careless Operation
You must operate a PWC in a reasonable and prudent manner. Anyone who operates a PWC or boat with a willful disregard for the safety of persons or property will be cited for reckless operation (a first-degree misdemeanor). All operators are responsible for operating their vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner with regard for other vessel traffic, posted restrictions, in the presence of a divers-down flag, and other circumstances so as not to endanger other people or property. Failure to do so is considered careless operation. Maneuvers which unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, limb or property are classified as reckless operation of a vessel (a first-degree misdemeanor) as provided in Florida State Statue 327.33(1). This includes, but is not limited to, a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close, or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision. A violation of federal navigational rules is also a violation of Florida law.
Boating Safety by FWC (Tips for Safe Boating)
Wear a life jacket
- According to recent boating accident statistics, half of all boating deaths are due to drowning. This tragedy is preventable by always wearing a life jacket while boating.
Be aware of your surroundings
- A significant percentage of boating accidents are due to collisions attributed to operator inattention or improper lookout. Pay attention and maintain 360-degree awareness while operating a boat. Always know how deep of water you are traveling in. (Good rule, If the water is Brown, good change you will run aground.) Always travel in 5 ft of water or greater.
Do Not Operate Under The Influence
- About a quarter of all boating accidents are alcohol or drug related. Plus, operating a vessel while impaired is illegal and operators can face arrest if found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Celebrate after you’re done boating.
Take a Boating Safety Course
- About three quarters of operators involved in fatal boating accidents have no formal boater education. An educated boater is a safer boater! All boat operators can benefit from taking a boating safety course, even those not required to complete one.
Check your safety gear
- In addition to all PWC vessels being equipped with life jackets, boaters are also required to have a whistle, fire extinguisher, shut off kill switch attached to the operator at all times.
Know Where You’re Going
- Familiarize yourself with local boating speed zones before setting out and always travel at a safe speed for environmental conditions. Mark your location on your phone for easy reference of return.
Watch the Weather
- Weather on the water can change rapidly. Always check the forecast before you go boating and keep an eye out for storms and rough seas. Lighting? time to get off the water.
Stay with the boat
- If you find yourself in open water after an accident or your boat capsizes, do your best to stay with the boat even if it’s partially submerged. A vessel, even a small one, is more visible to rescuers so staying with the boat can increase your chances of being found.
Know and follow the rules
- Report boating violations and dangerous or irresponsible vessel operation to the Wildlife Alert Program.
- Know and follow the rules. Learn more about regulations related to boaters, personal watercraft, skiers, divers, and snorkelers at MyFWC.com/Boating.