Welcome Florida Boaters!

This handbook is published by Boat Ed, the official provider of Florida's boating safety course. Although this handbook is a convenient reference tool, students wanting to receive official Florida boating safety certification would benefit from studying Boat Ed's comprehensive boat safety course.

All boating safety course material has been developed in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and is the same material used in their classroom courses. Take the official Florida boating safety course.

In This Handbook

Boating Basics includes: navigation rules, U.S. Aids to Navigation, VHF radio guidelines, and the basics for personal watercraft (PWCs), paddlesports and airboats .

It's the Law includes: registration information, display of numbers, legal operating age, required equipment, unlawful operation, boating under the influence, reporting accidents, environmental restrictions, and laws governing PWCs and vessels towing skiers.

Florida enforcement officers patrol our waterways to make your boating experience safe and pleasant. Cooperate with them by following the suggestions outlined in this guide as well as the rules of common courtesy while operating your vessel.

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