The Florida Senate

327.50  Vessel safety regulations; equipment and lighting requirements.--

(1)  Every vessel on the waters of this state shall carry, store, maintain, and use safety equipment in accordance with current United States Coast Guard safety equipment requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, unless expressly exempted by state law. Every person under 6 years of age on board a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel which measures less than 26 feet in length shall wear a type I, type II, or type III Coast Guard approved personal flotation device while such motorboat, sailboat, or vessel is underway. For the purpose of this section, "underway" shall mean at all times except when a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel is anchored, moored, or aground.

(2)  Every vessel on the waters of this state shall display the lights and shapes required by the navigation rules.

(3)  The use of sirens or flashing or revolving red or blue emergency lights on any vessel is prohibited, except on a vessel operated by a law enforcement officer or fire protection officer in the performance of his or her official duties or on a vessel engaged in emergency rescue activity.

History.--s. 8, ch. 59-400; s. 13, ch. 63-105; s. 1, ch. 65-361; s. 7, ch. 74-327; s. 8, ch. 81-100; s. 2, ch. 81-114; s. 9, ch. 84-188; s. 2, ch. 86-35; s. 5, ch. 88-133; s. 2, ch. 92-188; s. 463, ch. 95-148.

Note.--Former s. 371.57.