Watercraft State Regulations
Jet Ski Operator must have Boating License Permit
(if born AFTER 1988)
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, must have, in their possession, a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (or a valid FWC and NASBLA approved boating education certificate).
If you do not have a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card, you can take the Temporary Boating Safety Education Certificate exam prior to your reservation.
A copy of your temporary certificate must be presented upon arrival for your rental. A physical copy of the printed certificate or a digital copy presented on your mobile device is sufficient.
If you do not have the exam complete or fail to have the required documentation at your reserved time, we will attempt to reschedule you to a later time or date based upon availability, your reservation may be canceled with no refund available.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS
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Each person operating, riding on, or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved non-inflatable wearable personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for personal watercraft use.
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The operator of a personal watercraft must attach the engine cutoff switch lanyard (if equipped by the manufacturer) to his/her person, clothing or PFD.
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Personal watercraft may not be operated from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, even if navigation lights are used. Remember, both federal and state law requires the use of navigation lights from sunset to sunrise.
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Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel 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).
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A person must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida.
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A person must be at least 18 years of age to rent a personal watercraft in Florida.
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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).
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Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or temporary certificate examination and have in their possession a boating education ID card and a photo identification card before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or more in Florida. Identification cards for persons completing the course or the equivalency exam are good for a lifetime. Temporary Certificate exams are made available to the public through contractors.