1998 Florida Code
TITLE XXIV VESSELS
Chapter 327 Vessels: Registration And Safety  
327.39   Personal watercraft regulated.

327.39  Personal watercraft regulated.--

(1)  A person may not operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on or being towed behind such vessel is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.

(2)  A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch must attach such lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device as is appropriate for the specific vessel.

(3)  A person may not operate a personal watercraft at any time between the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. However, an agent or employee of a fire or emergency rescue service is exempt from this subsection while performing his or her official duties.

(4)  A personal watercraft must at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers which unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, limb, or property, including, but not limited to, weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to such other vessel or when visibility around such other vessel is obstructed, and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision shall constitute reckless operation of a vessel, as provided in s. 327.33(1).

(5)  No person under the age of 14 shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state.

(6)  It is unlawful for the owner of any personal watercraft or any person having charge over or control of a personal watercraft to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by a person under 14 years of age in violation of this section. Any person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(7)  This section does not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or participating in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition held in compliance with s. 327.48.

History.--s. 3, ch. 89-136; s. 1, ch. 94-295; s. 953, ch. 95-148.