Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Florida Required Equipment Checklist

indicates the equipment is required by state law.

Required Equipment	PWCs	Boat Less than 16'	Boat 16' to Less than 26'
Boater Safety Education ID Card and Photographic Identification
Applicable if operator is 21 or younger and operating a vessel powered by more than 10 hp.
Certificate of Registration on Board
Validation Decal Displayed
PFDs: Type I, II, III or V (one per person)
Each person on board a PWC, and anyone being towed behind a vessel, must wear a USCG-approved PFD. Children under 6 years of age must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III PFD at all times while on any vessel less than 26 feet in length that is underway upon Florida waters.
PFD: Type IV (one per vessel)	n/a	n/a
Vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one Type IV USCG–approved PFD on board and immediately available.
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher
Ignition Safety Switch		n/a	n/a
Backfire Flame Arrestor	Required on inboards, inboard-outboards, and airboats.	Required on inboards, inboard-outboards, and airboats.	Required on inboards, inboard-outboards, and airboats.
Ventilation System
Muffler
Horn, Whistle, or Bell
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	n/a	Required when boating on federally controlled waters
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals	Required when boating on federally controlled waters	Required when boating on federally controlled waters	Required when boating on federally controlled waters
Navigation Lights	Required if operating between sunset and sunrise