Florida's laws against boating while impaired by alcohol or other drugs are as strict as those for driving a vehicle while impaired. Florida law prohibits anyone from boating under the influence (BUI). That is, it is illegal to operate any vessel or to manipulate any water skis, sailboard, or similar device while intoxicated due to alcohol or any combination of alcohol, a controlled substance, or drugs. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction time. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities. Show
Florida law states that a person is considered to be “under the influence” if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher or is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to a degree that impairs his or her normal abilities. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 to 0.08 also may indicate a person is “under the influence” if accompanied by other competent evidence. Age and Operator Restrictions
Additional InformationThe law requires that persons affected by this legislation have in their possession a Boating Safety Education I.D. Card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and photographic ID while operating a vessel. ExemptionsOperators are exempt from needing to get the license if they are:
EnforcementFlorida law enforcement officers patrol the waterways to make your boating experience safe and pleasant. Cooperate with them by following the laws and guidelines. Carry the Card: Vessel operators who are required to have a Boater Education Card must carry the card on board the vessel and have it available for inspection by an enforcement officer. Penalty: Not carrying your Boater Education Card when one is required can result in a fine. ReciprocityFor visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada’s requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)
The following is a summary of Florida's boating laws, found in Ch. 327 and Ch. 328, Florida Statutes. This information is included in all certified boating safety courses taught in Florida. Note: This information is accurate as of February 2022 and is subject to change in May of each year. Please call the FWC's Boating Safety Section at 850-488-5600 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. Expand All | Collapse All
Except in the event of an emergency, it is unlawful to moor or fasten to any lawfully placed navigation aid or regulatory maker.
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions. See also Boat Safety Equipment. 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.
Vessels operating in Florida waters must comply with the U.S. Coast Guard requirements relating to marine sanitation devices, where applicable.
At what breath alcohol level with a boater be considered under the influence in Florida?Florida BUI Law
Under Florida statute 327.25, any person who operates a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol is guilty of boating under the influence. The blood alcohol limit for a boater over the age of 21 is 0.08 percent – the same as for a person driving a car.
At what breath alcohol level would a boater be considered under the influence in Florida quizlet?In Florida, a vessel operator is presumed to be under the influence if their blood- or breath-alcohol level is at or above . 08. Any person under 21 years of age who is found to have a breath-alcohol level of . 02 or higher and operates or is in actual physical control of a vessel is in violation of Florida law.
What are the rules on driving boat in Florida?Do I need a license? In order to operate a motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or greater, Florida law requires anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the FWC.
How old do you have to be to operate a boat in Florida?There is no minimum age to operate a boat, however, PWC regulations and boating safety requirements are age specific and do apply. A person must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida. A person must be at least 18 years of age to rent a personal watercraft in Florida.
|