Boating Safety Tips For Tampa Bay and the Surrounding Waterways

The state of Florida has the largest number of boat registries in the country; we are the Sunshine State, after all! Before you get out on the waters of Tampa Bay and the surrounding waterways, you need to make sure your boat is in compliance with safety ordinances, as well as state and federal law. Here’s what you need to know:

Before You Operate a Boat

1. Inspect Your Boat’s Condition

It’s your responsibility to carry, maintain, store, and use U.S. Coast Guard approved safety equipment. If you take advantage of Florida’s free Coast Guard inspection, they will check your boat to make sure you are in compliance with equipment requirements and that everything is operational, including life jackets, navigation lights, ventilation, distress signals, battery covers and connectors, fire extinguishers, and registration and numbering.

2. Inspect Your Rental Boat’s Condition

Rental facilities must provide a pre-rental demonstration of the safe operation of the vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This instruction must include, at a minimum, operational characteristics of the vessel, safe operation and right-of-way, operator responsibilities, and local waterway characteristics. The livery must visibly display safety information to the renting public in accordance with FWC guidelines. They may not rent to anyone under the age of 18.

3. Comply With Licensing Requirements

Florida requires that anyone under 21 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more pass an approved boater safety course. Those who complete this course will receive a Boater Safety Education Identification Card, valid for life, which they will have to keep onboard with them, along with a valid photo ID. All renters must present this boater education ID card before the facility may rent to them.

Boating Safety Out on the Water

4. Avoid Reckless & Negligent Operation

All boat operators have a legal duty to look out for the safety of all persons and property, and to operate the vehicle with consideration for other vessels, posted restrictions, and other safety concerns such as:

• Anchoring. It is unlawful to anchor or operate a vessel in a manner that will unreasonably interfere with the navigation of other vessels. Do not fasten to any lawfully placed navigation aids or regulatory markers.
• Accidents. In the event of a collision, accident, or death involving a vessel, the operator must immediately contact emergency responders.
• Distractions. The use of sirens or flashing, occulting, or revolving lights is prohibited except where expressly allowed by law.

5. Adhere to Maximum Loading & Horsepower Limits

No one can operate a boat less than 20 feet long that exceeds the weight, persons, or horsepower capacity as displayed on the manufacturer’s capacity plate.

6. Adhere to Speeding Laws

Florida waterways have speed limits that must be obeyed. This is not only for your safety but for the safety of other boaters and local wildlife as well. Boaters should also be familiar with the following signs:

• Idle Speed, No Wake Zone: When you see this sign, it means you’re entering an area where vessels must go as slowly as possible. There should be no wake.
• Slow Speed, Minimum Wake: This sign means that any wake must be very small, and the bow shouldn’t be elevated.
• Vessel Exclusion Area: This Means “Do Not Enter!”

7. Adhere To Personal Watercraft Regulations

Everyone riding a Jet Ski must wear a non-inflatable life jacket. You must be at least 14 to drive one and 18 to rent one. The engine cutoff switch lanyard should be attached to the driver’s jacket so the Jet Ski shuts off if the driver falls off. Jet skis cannot be operated at night, as the law prohibits their use from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.

8. Keep Kids Safe

Any child under the age of 6 must always wear a personal floatation device while onboard any vessel under 26 feet, except when the boat is anchored.

9. Scuba Safely

Dive flags must be displayed above the vessel’s highest point so they can be seen from any direction. Divers should stay within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on open waters and within 100 feet of a flag within rivers, inlets, or navigation channels. If you’re driving a boat and you see a dive flag, you have to stay at least 300 feet away from divers-down flags on open waters and at least 100 feet from flags on rivers, inlets, or navigation channels. If you have to get closer, you must slow to idle speed.

10. Pull Over For Police

A law enforcement officer may stop any vessel for the purpose of checking for compliance with boating safety equipment requirements.

11. Respect The Environment

It is highly illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammals, and manatees in particular. Anything that disrupts a manatee’s life is a violation of law, punishable under federal law by a $50,000 fine, one-year imprisonment, or both. Seagrass is also protected by law and boaters should make all available attempts to avoid running through seagrass beds, or face hefty fines and costs associated with restoration efforts.

Contact Hartpence Law for a Free Consultation

Were you injured or involved in a boating accident or violation? Remember! When operating a boat, it is important to pay attention to your surroundings, just as you would if you were operating a car. But just like driving a car, even the most prepared boaters are at risk for violation or accident while out on the water. In the event that you are injured or involved in a boating accident or violation, please call us at (855) 680-4911 or fill out our contact form for your FREE CONSULTATION so that we can protect your claim and discuss your legal options. We represent victims who are injured in all types of accident cases.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney/client relationship.