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 Safe Boating Is Enjoyable Boating! Boating in Florida is a great family tradition but you must know the rules of the road and have the proper safety gear. As boat operator, you must always be aware of the responsibility you have to keep yourself, your passengers, and other boaters safe while you are on the water. It is the operator's duty to make sure that the required safety equipment is on board, that the boat is operated in a safe and careful manner, and that the boat is operated in a manner that is not discourteous to other boaters. Required Safety Gear Obey Vessel Speed Regulations What You Should Know About Water Skiing What You Should Know About Personal Watercraft Boating Safety Education What You Need To Know About Diving and What To Do If You See A Diver-Down Flag What You Need To Know When Boating In Manatee Habitat Other Things That Will Help Enjoy Boating What You Need To Know About Navigation Rules Always Watch The Weather Return to previous page Among required safety gear are:  A Life Vest - All recreational vessels must carry on board at least one wearable-type personal flotation device (PFD), for each person on board or being towed on water skis, aquaplanes, or other similar devices. In addition, all vessels 16-feet in length or greater (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one Type-IV throwable device. All PFDs must be the proper size for the intended wearer, be in good condition, be readily accessible, and be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Water skiers must wear a PFD while being pulled on skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices. Personal watercraft operators and all passengers must wear a PFD at all times and children under six years of age must wear a PFD of proper size while on board a vessel under 26 feet in length while underway. A Fire Extinguisher - All recreational vessels must carry approved currently inspected fire extinguishers of the type, number, and size specified by U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Vessels less than 26-feet in length, propelled by outboard motors, of open construction which will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable vapors, and not carrying passengers for hire are exempt. A Whistle or Horn - All vessels are required to carry a Asound producing device@, such as a whistle or a horn. The device must be capable of making the sound signals prescribed in the Navigation Rules. This means it must be capable of producing a constant blast of at least six seconds, and be audible for at least one-half mile. Flares - Visual distress signal requirements apply to all vessels operating on the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, or coastal waters such as bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, and inlets to the first point where the distance between shorelines is 2 miles wide or less. Lights - When Operating at Night It is unlawful to operate any vessel without displaying the proper navigation lights between the period from sunset to sunrise, and during other periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain. White navigation lights are required to be visible at a distance of two miles. The red and green navigation lights must be visible at a minimum of one mile. Vessels at anchor must display an all-round white light.« Return to Top of page Obey Vessel Speed Regulations Vessel speeds are regulated in specific geographic areas throughout the state for a variety of reasons. Some speed zones were placed due to high vessel traffic generating safety concerns, while others help to ensure the safety of swimmers, people launching or retrieving their vessels at boat ramps, or manatees. These restricted areas may be seasonal (only restricted during designated times of the year) or year-round. Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the restricted areas where you are boating: o Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as "Idle Speed No Wake" must operate at the minimum speed that will maintain steerageway. The best example of this is to put a car's automatic transmission in "Drive" and allow it to idle forward. Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as "Slow `Speed Minimum Wake" must operate fully off plane and completely settled in the water. The vessel's wake must not be excessive, nor create a hazard to other vessels. "Slow Speed Minimum Wake" and "Slow Speed" mean the same thing and require the same operation. The terms are used interchangeably. When exiting an "Idle Speed" or "Slow Speed" zone, you will see a sign that states "Resume Normal Safe Operation". At this point you may increase your speed to one that is appropriate for the sea and the vessel traffic conditions. « Return to Top of page What You Should Know About Water Skiing Many of the water bodies within Florida are ideal for skiing activity. Before you tow someone on skis, tubes, or other aquaplaning devices, you need to know the following skiing regulations: The operator of a vessel towing someone on skis, a tube, or other aquaplaning device, must either have a second person on board to act as an observer, and who is attendant to the actions of the skier, or have and use a wide-angled rearview mirror. This requirement ensures that the operator can pay attention to the operation of the vessel and other vessel traffic nearby, without being distracted by the skier. No one may ski or aquaplane between the hours of 2 hour past sunset to 2 hour before sunrise. No one may ski or use any other aquaplaning device unless they are wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved non-inflatable type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device. No one may ski or use any other aquaplaning device while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. The operator of a vessel towing a skier may not pull the skier close to a fixed object or other vessel where thee may be a risk of collision.« Return to Top of page What You Should Know About Personal Watercraft Personal watercraft continue to become more popular on our waterways. The operator and all passengers of a personal watercraft need to be aware of several requirements specific to this type of vessel: Each person operating or riding on a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved non-inflatable type I, II, III or V personal flotation device (PFD). 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 2 hour past sunset to 2 hour before sunrise. Remember, lighting requirements require that a motorized vessel display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise. To comply with this regulation, a personal watercraft would be required to display navigation lights for the last 2 hour and the first 2 of the day. Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonable close or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid a collision are considered reckless operation. A person must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida. A person must be at least 18 years of age to rent a personal watercraft in Florida.« Return to Top of page Boating Safety Education All boaters can benefit from a boating education courses such as those taught by Boater 101, Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary but you need to know that: Anyone born after September 30, 1980, who operates a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more, must pass an approved boater safety education course, and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boater safety identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A person is exempt from this requirement if there is a person on board who is not affected by this law and who is attendant to, and responsible for, the safe operation of the vessel. To meet this requirement, you may obtain a temporary boater education certificate. This is a program which allows a boater to meet Florida's education requirement for a one-year period. The people who benefit most from this program are those persons who visit Florida and wish to rent a vessel. Temporary certificate tests are administered by vendors (primarily rental companies) who have contracted with the State. They will charge $3 for each temporary certificate.« Return to Top of page What You Need To Know About Diving and What To Do If You See A Diver-Down Flag Diving and snorkeling are popular activities in both inland and coastal areas throughout the state. The following regulations apply whenever someone is diving or using some other type of underwater breathing apparatus (such as a snorkel): A divers-down flag is required to be displayed whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water. The flag must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches with a white diagonal stripe. As of October 1, 2000, the 12-inch square flag is required if divers are in the water with a floating flag buoy. If divers are using a vessel, the divers-down flag must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches and displayed at a high point where it can be observed from 360 degrees around the vessel. All vessels approaching a divers-down flag must "make reasonable effort to stay at least 100 feet away from a divers-down flag within a river, inlet, or channel. In open waters, vessels must make reasonable effort to stay 300 feet away from a divers-down flag. Within those prescribed distances, a vessel may operate, but must be at the idle speed".« Return to Top of page What You Need To Know When Boating In Manatee Habitat If you boat on Florida's coastal waters or waters with any tidal influence, you are boating in potential manatee country. The manatee may be found in virtually any of these locations at one time or another. A little extra effort by boaters may help reduce the number of collisions boaters have with manatees. There are several things every boater can do to help: Use caution when traveling in areas where manatees are knows to inhabit or travel. Be on the look out for water patterns that indicate manatees are swimming close by. As manatees swim, they often leave half-moon shaped swirls, or a mud trail if the water is fairly shallow. They must surface often for air, so their snouts, backs, or tails are repeatedly exposed. Just knowing what to look for will allow you to give manatees ample room. Become familiarity with and obey the posted manatee regulatory zones in the areas you frequently operate your vessel. Stay in the designated channels as much as possible. Manatees have shown signs that they are avoiding areas of heavy boat traffic. Learn to recognize areas of prime manatee habitat. Manatees often feed in areas where sea grass, hydrilla, or water hyacinths are found. Use extra caution around these feeding areas. Wearing polarized sunglasses will help boaters see manatees at or below the surface of the water.« Return to Top of page Other Things That Will Help Enjoy Boating Always Use Courtesy and Common Sense It is important to remember that careless, reckless, or negligent operation of a vessel is not a way the boat safely. Operate your boat with caution. Although the laws for operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol or other drugs have been covered elsewhere in this publication, the dangers of mixing alcohol or other drug use with boating cannot be over-emphasized. Stressors such as the wind, heat, wave motion, noise, and vibration all work together in the boating environment to enhance the effects of alcohol or other drugs on the body. The smart thing to do is to either minimize the consumption of alcohol and other drugs while boating, or make the most intelligent decision and just leave them at home. It's a smart idea to have a "designated skipper". Unsightly litter is a frequent complaint among outdoor enthusiasts. Be careful to secure all of your trash on board your boat so that it does not blow away, and make sure it gets placed in an appropriate trash receptacle when you reach shore.« Return to Top of page What You Need To Know About Navigation Rules Recreational boat operators are often unfamiliar with the fact that they are responsible to operate their boat within the guidelines established by the Navigation Rules as published by the U.S. Coast Guard. These rules are somewhat similar to the traffic laws that tell us the meaning of various signs, when to yield the right-of-way to others, the required signals and safety equipment, and our responsibilities regarding avoiding collisions. Some of the basic rules that apply to recreational boats are below: The Navigation Rules go into great detail as to how vessels are to respond when approaching another boat. Most boaters will find themselves in meeting, passing, and crossing situations with other boaters on a regular basis. Without designated travel lanes like those on highways, boaters may be confused as to which is the appropriate way to respond in any one of these situations. "Right-of-way" is a term sometimes used in these situations, but no boater actually has the right-of-way. Regardless of which direction another vessel may be approaching, boaters always have the responsibility to take the appropriate action necessary to avoid a collision. Depending upon their relationship to other boats, a boat will be identified as either the give-way or stand-on vessel. The give-way vessel is required by the Navigation Rules to yield to another vessel, while the stand-on vessel is required to maintain course and speed. Remember, both of these vessels must take whatever action is necessary to avoid a collision. The Navigation Rules also require that specified sound signals be used to signal intent. These specified signals are established for every action taken, including leaving a dock, passing port to port, identifying oneself during a period of poor visibility, or signaling danger.« Return to Top of page Always Watch The Weather Florida's rapidly changing weather conditions have ruined an enjoyable day for many boaters on our waters. It is always a smart plan to check the local weather and water conditions before leaving for the boat ramp. This information is available through links on this web site or the local weather information broadcast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on their weather radio channels. Take a few extra minutes to check the conditions before you leave. It may save you from not a having a great day. A good weather forecast is no guarantee that the weather will be in your favor all day. Occasional storms may appear without warning. Always keep an eye out for changes in the weather, and do not hesitate to head for safe waters. Remember, lightning strikes are a fairly common occurrence in Florida, and may happen several miles away from the nearest storm.« Return to Top of page Boat Florida! Most of all enjoy the beautiful waters of Florida. Boating, fishing, water skiing, diving and other water sports in Florida, offer an unparalleled family experience. Have a great time! Return to previous page « Top of page |
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