Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Each boating safety course taught
pursuant to Section 327.395 or
327.731, F.S., must maintain
current approval from the National Association of State Boating Law
Administrators and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission.
(2) In addition to
minimum course content adopted by the National Association of State Boating Law
Administrators, boating safety courses approved for use in the State of Florida
shall contain state-specific information covering the following topics.
(a) Personal Watercraft Requirements.
1. Mandatory wear of personal flotation
devices.
2. Age restrictions to
operate or rent.
3. Hours of
operation restrictions.
4.
Wake-jumping concerns and reckless operation.
5. Causes and prevention of personal
watercraft accidents.
(b)
Boating Safety Identification Cards.
1. Age
and engine horsepower requirements.
2. Photographic identification
required.
(c) Vessel
Safety Regulations.
1. Personal flotation
devices for children requirements.
2. Florida's adoption of all federal
equipment requirements.
(d) Diving vessels, awareness of divers in
the water, divers down warning devices, and the requirements of Section
327.331, F.S.
(e) Water Ski, Parasail, and Aquaplane
Regulations.
1. Participants must wear a
personal flotation device.
2.
Towing vessels must have either an observer or wide-angle rearview
mirror.
3. Hours
restrictions.
(f) Boating
Restricted Areas, Manatee Protection Zones, and other areas within which
boating is prohibited or in which boating speed is regulated. Regulatory
markers including Idle Speed, Slow Speed, and mile per hour restrictions and
aids to navigation shall also be covered.
(g) Boating Accidents.
1. Requirements for reporting
accidents.
2. Remaining on
scene/rendering assistance.
(h) Awareness of fish and wildlife with
potential impacts to boaters and boating safety, including, but not limited to
manatees, whales, dolphins, marine turtles, and sturgeon.
(i) Ecosystem Awareness and potential impacts
to boaters and boating safety.
(j)
The dangers associated with:
1. A passenger
riding on a seat back, gunwale, transom, bow, motor cover, or any other vessel
area not designed and designated by the manufacturer for seating.
2. A passenger falling overboard.
3. Operating a vessel with a person in the
water near the vessel.
4. Starting
a vessel with the engine in gear.
5. Leaving the vessel running when a
passenger is boarding or disembarking.
(k) The proper use and lifesaving benefits of
an engine cutoff switch for motorboats and personal watercraft.
(l) The requirement to operate at a speed no
faster than slow speed minimum wake within 300 feet of an emergency vessel when
the vessel's emergency lights are activated and within 300 feet of a
construction vessel or barge displaying an orange flag.
(3) For each course approved for use in
Florida, the course provider must use the following:
(a) A boating safety workbook or text, or the
electronic equivalent.
(b) A final
exam of not fewer than 75 questions, including a minimum of 12 Florida-specific
questions, with a minimum passing score of 75 percent.
(c) A syllabus or course outline.
(d) A list of course
objectives.
Rulemaking Authority
327.04,
327.395,
327.731 FS. Law Implemented
327.395,
327.731
FS.
New 6-9-05, Amended
1-31-23.
