According to Florida’s reckless boat operation regulations, it is illegal to operate a boat in a reckless or negligent manner. Boaters are responsible for operating their boat in a prudent manner.<\/p>\n
\u2018Reckless boat operation\u2019 is defined as operating any boat, or manipulating any waterskis, aquaplane, or similar device, with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property at a speed or in a manner as to endanger, or likely to endanger, life or limb, or damage the property of, or injure any person.<\/p>\n
Any person convicted of reckless operation will be charged with a misdemeanor of the first degree.<\/p>\n
Examples of reckless operation include:<\/strong><\/p>\n A personal watercraft must at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested boat traffic, jumping the wake of another boat while unreasonably close or when visibility around the boat is obstructed or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision is classified as reckless operation of a vessel.<\/p>\n Reckless operation is a misdemeanor of the first degree.<\/p>\n In Florida, it is illegal to operate a mono-hulled boat that is under 20 feet in length, if the boat exceeds the maximum load capacity, maximum person capacity or maximum horsepower capacity (as displayed on the capacity plate).<\/p>\n In Florida, it is illegal to allow passengers to ride on the gunwales, deck or bow, or in any other unsafe location on a boat, where there is a great risk of falling overboard.<\/p>\n Speed Limits:<\/strong><\/p>\n Restricted Areas<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s illegal in the state of Florida to knowingly operate a boat, or to authorize the operation of a boat that is in violation of the restrictions of a safety zone, security zone, regulated navigation area, or naval vessel protection zone.<\/p>\n Local Regulations<\/strong><\/p>\n There are many waterways within the state of Florida which have special boating restrictions in place. Boat operators should check with their local authorities for restrictions on the waterway(s) where they plan to navigate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","article-category":[10],"article-tag":[83,151,170,181,247,251],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Reckless Operation of a Personal Watercraft (PWC)<\/h2>\n
Overloading\/Exceeding Maximum Horsepower<\/h2>\n
Riding on a Boat\u2019s Gunwales, Deck or Bow:<\/h2>\n
Florida’s Laws for Boat Speed Limits and Operation in Restricted Areas<\/h2>\n
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