Florida Boating Regulations — Plain-English Summary

Life Jackets & PFDs

Every vessel must carry one wearable, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person aboard, correctly sized, in serviceable condition, and easy to reach.
Boats 16 feet and longer must also carry at least one Coast Guard-approved throwable Type IV device that is immediately available.
Children under six years old must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD while aboard a vessel under 26 feet whenever it is underway (any time it is not anchored, moored, made fast to shore, or aground).
Florida urges everyone aboard to simply wear a life jacket — it is the single most effective way to prevent drowning.

Vessels with built-in fuel tanks or enclosed compartments where fumes can collect must carry at least one marine-approved fire extinguisher (the number depends on vessel length).
All vessels must carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a whistle or horn.
Recreational vessels must display proper navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility such as fog, rain, or haze.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a boat powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boating safety course and carry both a photo ID and a FWC-issued Boating Safety Education Identification Card.
Exemptions include licensed USCG masters, operators on private lakes or ponds, operators accompanied by a qualified person 18 or older who is responsible for the vessel, and recent boat buyers within 90 days who carry a valid bill of sale.

There is no minimum age to operate a boat in Florida, but age-specific personal watercraft and education rules still apply.
You must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) and at least 18 years old to rent one.
A PWC operator must attach the engine cutoff switch lanyard (if the craft is equipped with one) to their person, clothing, or PFD.

It is illegal to operate a vessel while impaired. An operator is presumed to be under the influence at a blood- or breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher.

All vessels must be registered through your local Tax Collector's Office, except non-motor-powered vessels under 16 feet and non-motor-powered canoes, kayaks, racing shells, and rowing sculls of any length.
Boats must be registered and numbered within 30 days of purchase, and the Certificate of Registration must be aboard whenever the vessel is operated.
Registration numbers must appear on the forward half of both sides in bold block letters at least 3 inches tall in a contrasting color, with the annual decal displayed within 6 inches of the numbers on the port (left) side.

In an 'Idle Speed – No Wake' zone, operate at the minimum speed needed to maintain steerageway.
In a 'Slow Speed, Minimum Wake' zone, operate fully off plane and settled in the water so your wake is not excessive or hazardous.
Boaters must observe all posted manatee protection zone requirements — Florida is home to a large manatee population, and these zones protect them.

The operator of a vessel in an accident involving injury beyond first aid, death, disappearance, or property/vessel damage of at least $2,000 must report it by the quickest means possible to the FWC, the county sheriff, or the local police chief.
It is illegal to leave the scene of a boating accident without rendering all possible aid and reporting to the proper authorities.

Summarized and paraphrased from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission — Boating Regulations (reviewed 2026-07). This is general educational information, not legal advice. Always confirm current rules with the FWC.