Florida updates Boating Safety Education Requirements

Recently, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission updated their posted Boating Safety Regulations to include specific requirements for anyone piloting a boat in Florida waters under the age of 22-years old. With an increase in the last few years in the number of boating safety accidents and violations by these boaters under the age of 22-years old, the FWC now requires anyone operating a boat to complete an approved boating safety course and have in their possession a photo ID and Boating Safety Education card issued by the FWC. Here are the specific "updated" regulations as defined on the FWC website:

• Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• The following operators are exempt:
  • A person licensed by the U. S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel.
  • A person operating on a private lake or pond.
  • An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is least 18 years old and possesses the required Boating Safety Education Identification Card, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.
  • An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.
  • A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state.
  • A person who is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase of that vessel, provided they have available for inspection aboard that vessel, a bill of sale meeting all the requirements as established in Chapter 328.46(1), Florida Statutes. 
  
  
  Additional information and boating regulations can be found here: My FWC
  
  
  
  The new Florida boater regulations for the Boater ID card can be obtained either by taking the mail-in test in the Boat Smart magazine (free) or by taking the test online at http://www.boat-ed.com/fl/index.htm ($29.50)