Boating Etiquette 101: Florida Boating Safety Tips and Regulations You Need to Know

by Abbey Senesi September 18, 2024

Maybe you just moved to Florida (welcome!) or are new to boating. Whatever your familiarity with the water, it’s essential for you to know your state’s regulations and be aware of basic boating etiquette, both for your safety and for the safety of those around you!

So whether you’re new or just need a refresher, we’re going to review the following essentials:

Let’s start by reviewing some important boating regulations for the state of Florida.

Florida Boating Regulations

Life Jackets

Life jackets are required for children ages six and under. Each time you go out, you need to have a life jacket on the boat for each person in the vessel — regardless of their age. This is to keep you and your passengers safe in the event of an emergency, so please be sure to abide by this rule!

Safety Card

You are required to have a safety certificate if you are operating a vessel with a 10-horsepower motor or above and were born on or after January 1, 1988.

To get your boater’s safety certificate, you can take the online course here.

If your boat is smaller than 16 feet, you’ll need additional safety equipment. You can find the complete list of needed equipment here.

For a complete list of boating safety and regulations, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website.

PWC Rules

Personal watercraft (PWCs) like jet skis have their own specific regulations in the state of Florida.

To operate a jet ski, you must be 14 years or older. You must wear a life jacket at all times, regardless of your age. In addition, jet skis cannot be operated from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. This is to keep you safe on the water, as visibility is limited during these times!

Click here for the complete list of Florida’s PWC regulations.

Next, let’s go over some essential boating etiquette.

Basic Boating Etiquette

Right of Way

As a boater, you must yield to watercraft that are manually operated, such as kayaks and canoes. However, for boats with motors, no one technically has the right of way — so be sure to be clear and courteous when communicating with other boaters!

Passing

Be sure to keep a large gap between boats at all times and provide clear signals both before and while passing. As mentioned, no boat operator has the right of way, so be cautious and respectful when passing others.

Speed

You need to operate your boat at no wake within 100 feet of the shoreline. This is to protect swimmers, kayakers, and others who may be in the water closer to shore — so be sure to abide by this rule!

Docking and Unloading

When you’re using a boat ramp, be sure to be aware of who is around you, both in the water and on land. Once you have trailed your boat, be sure to move off the ramp before draining your boat to allow others to use the ramp.

Important Resources

Be sure to review the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s official website for more information. Here are a few helpful resources to help you get started!

Overall, remember to be safe, courteous and aware at all times while using your boat. Be sure to educate yourself on your area’s local boating and safety regulations. Always be on the lookout for PWC operators and swimmers — and stay safe!

Have questions or concerns? Feel free to contact our office at 352-394-5666 or email our head of office at pam@rjsboatlifts.com.

For more beginner’s tips and boating essentials, check out the links below!

Related Articles