Boating Safety: Preventing Crashes & Saving Lives

Florida is the boating capital of the United States, which also means we have the highest number of boating accidents. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) recorded 619 boating accidents in 2023 with the leading causes being operator inattention/improper lookout, inexperience/lack of training, and speed. It’s prime boating season in Pinellas County and before you head out on the gulf, bay, or Intracoastal Waterway, make sure you have a responsible vessel operator and the proper safety equipment onboard to prevent you from becoming a statistic. 

Florida doesn’t require any kind of boating license, but to legally operate a vessel of ten horsepower or more, you must be at least 14 years of age and anyone born after January 1, 1988 must take an approved boating safety education course. Vessel operators must carry proof of that certification, or they can be issued a citation. 

Vessels are required to have several kinds of safety equipment, including a (Type I, II, or III) personal floatation device (PFD) for each passenger, a throwable ring or cushion, an audible signaling device such as a whistle or a horn, and a USCG-approved fire extinguisher. Additionally, requirements for specific equipment may vary based on the vessel or activity. 

If you’re on a personal watercraft or jet ski or you’re being towed behind a vessel in any way, you must wear a PFD. Children under six years old must wear a PFD whenever the vessel is underway. A Type V Hybrid PFD – which is inflated with a CO2 cartridge or can be manually inflated – may be substituted for operators or passengers, but those must be worn, not just stored onboard. All motorized boats are required to have a fire extinguisher, but larger boats may need two or three fire extinguishers of different kinds depending on their size. 

Of course, there’s more to safe boating than having a qualified operator with the proper safety equipment. Awareness is another vital component. Watch for signs indicating no-wake or minimum-wake zones. These are the marine equivalent of speed limits and can be in place to help prevent collisions, reduce harm to protected species or ecosystems, or protect property. The vessel operator should always be looking out for hazards including boats, swimmers, divers, underwater obstructions, or structures.

Finally, pay attention to weather conditions before you head out. Check out the forecast including storm potential, wind speeds, and tides. As some know too well, conditions can change quickly here in Florida, especially during the summer months.

Being prepared, compliant with safety regulations, and following these simple tips all but guarantee a fun, safe day on the water.