Persons less than 14 years of age shall not operate a Personal Watercraft. You must be at least 18 to rent a PWC in Florida. PWCs may not be operated from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.
Each person on a Personal Watercraft (PWC) must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD (inflatables are prohibited). Additionally, the operator must wear a lanyard type cut off switch provided by the manufacturer which will shut off the PWC should the operator fall off.
The operator of a Personal Watercraft should operate in a reasonable and prudent manner. Manuevering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested 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).
It is unlawful for a person to knowingly allow a person under 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft (a second-degree misdemeanor).
Any accident involving death, disappearance or personal injury, or damage greater than $500 must be reported. A "boating accident" includes, but is not limited to, capsizing, collision, foundering, flooding, fire, explosion and the disappearance of a vessel other than by theft. Accidents should be reported immediately. Report accidents by the quickest means possible to one of the following: the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the sheriff of the county in which the accident occurred, or the police chief of the municipality in which the accident occurred, if applicable.
It is unlawful for any person operating a vessel involved in a boating accident to leave the scene without giving all possible aid to the involved persons and without reporting the accident to the proper authorities.
It is a violation of Florida law to operate a vessel while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. A vessel operator suspected of boating under the influence must submit to a sobriety test and a chemical test to determine blood or breath alcohol content.
In Florida, a vessel operator is presumed to be under the influence if their blood or breath alcohol content is at or above .08 percent.
All vessels operated on the waters of Florida must be registered and/or numbered in Florida, except as follows:
All registrations must be renewed each year in the birth month of the owner. Apply for your title and registration with the state tax collectors.
In addition, all vessels, except documented vessels and non-motor-powered vessels less than 16 feet, must be titled in Florida.
You will need to know your Hull I.D. number to title and register your boat. If you have a homemade boat, contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or your tax collector's office for a HIN.
Upon registration, you will be issued a certificate of number and a validation decal. The certificate must be on board whenever the boat is used. The boat's number must be properly displayed on both port and starboard side.
Do you have any questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us directly. Our team will come back to you within a matter of hours to help you. Make sure that you leave a comment or question. Simply leaving your name and/or contact information will not warrant any reply!
1901 E. Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL
(954) 788-0969
1901 E. Atlantic Blvd
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Phone: (954) 788-0969
Fax: (954) 943-3214
