Who must wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)?
Who must wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)? All boats must carry one Type I, II, III or V USCG-approved PFD for each person on board a vessel. In addition, all children under 6 years of age must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, III or V PFD at all times while underway on any boat 26 feet or less in length.
How old do I have to be to operate a boat? There is no minimum age to operate a boat, except a personal watercraft (PWC). Florida law states that until October 1, 2001, a person born after September 30, 1980, and on or after October 1, 2001, a person 21 years of age or younger may not operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater unless such person has in his or her possession, aboard the vessel, photographic identification and a boater safety identification card.
How old do you have to be to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)? In Florida, no person under 14 years of age may operate any PWC. How old do you have to be to rent a PWC? Liveries are prohibited from renting a PWC to any person under 18 years of age. Persons 14 years old or older may operate a rented PWC, as long as someone 18 or older rented it. A person must be 18 years of age or older to enter into a rental contract for a PWC.
