The following is a summary of Florida's boating laws, found in Ch. This information is included in all certified boating safety courses taught in Florida. Note : This information is accurate as of February and is subject to change in May of each year. Please call the FWC's Boating Safety Section at for annual updates to this information or questions regarding boating safety course requirements.
There is no minimum age to operate a boat. However the personal watercraft regulations and boating safety requirements below are age specific and would apply. Find information about Operation Dry Water. Except in the event of an emergency, it is unlawful to moor or fasten to any lawfully placed navigation aid or regulatory maker. The following regulations apply whenever someone is wholly or partially submerged and is using a face mask and snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus. A divers-down warning device may be a divers-down flag, buoy, or other similar warning device.
These devices are designed for, and used by, divers and dive vessels as a way to notify nearby boaters that divers are in the water in the immediate area. The device must be displayed prominently when in use. The divers-down warning device must meet the following requirements.
Except in the event of an emergency, it is unlawful for any person to anchor or operate a vessel in a manner that will unreasonably interfere with the navigation of other vessels.
No person may operate a monohull boat of less than 20 feet in length while exceeding the maximum weight, persons, or horsepower capacity as displayed on the manufacturer's capacity plate.
