Update: Boating Regulations

New bills recently signed by Gov. Gray Davis are designed to improve safety on California's waterways and are to go into force on 01/01/2001.

A bill sponsored by the Department of Boating and Waterways raises the age limit at which children are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while under way in a vessel of 7.9 meters (approximately 26') or less from 6 to 11 years. Water skiers and personal watercraft (PWC) users will also have to wear PFDs.

Another bill, sponsored by the Recreational Boaters of California, requires anyone convicted of a moving violation while operating a vessel to complete a boating safety course. The bill will also require the Department of Boating and Waterways to develop a voluntary PWC education course and place it on the department's Web site.

In signing the bills, Davis said that he continues to oppose a general requirement that all persons operating a boat take a mandatory course, but the measure contains reasonable requirements that promote boating safety.

"US Coast Guard data show that personal watercraft are involved in a disproportionately high number of boating accidents in California," said Davis. "National Transportation Safety Board data show that a large portion of individuals involved in fatal boating accidents were operating vessels in an unsafe manner."

Florida: Effective 10/01/2000

The size of divers flags displayed on vessels must be from 12"x12" to 20"x24" and have a stiffener to keep the flag unfurled.

The flag must be displayed so that its visibility is not obstructed.

Divers must make a reasonable effort to stay within 300 feet of the divers-down flag on all waters other than rivers, inlets or navigation channels (where there is a 100 foot limit); vessel operators must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of 300 feet on these waters.

Vessels may approach within 100 feet or 300 feet of a divers-down flag only at idle speed; approaching at higher speed is reckless operation.

The minimum age to rent a PWC is increased to 18.

It is unlawful to allow a rented PWC to be operated by a person who has not received instruction in the safe handling of a PWC. The renter must give the owner a "written statement attesting to same".

Inflatable life jackets are prohibited when water skiing or operating a PWC.

For more information on boating and boating safety visit http://boatsafe.com

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