Do you know the life jacket laws in Florida? What about muffler requirements for boats? 

If you plan to boat anywhere in the state, you’ll need to understand both of these things. So, keep reading to learn about what type of personal flotation device (PFD) you need to comply with Florida life jacket laws and how to make sure your motorized boat’s muffle operates within the state’s requirements. 

A child and woman on a boat wearing life jackets while the child blows bubbles.

Florida Life Jacket Laws for Kids and Adults

When boating in Florida, your boat must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved (USCG) life jacket for every person on board with you. Boats 16 feet long or longer must also carry a readily accessible, USCG-approved throwable device (also known as a Type IV PFD).

Children’s Life Jacket Requirements

Boat passengers six years or younger must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III life jacket while on board any underway boat under 26 feet in length. However, if the boat is moored, anchored, aground, or made fast to the shore, or aground, then it’s not considered “underway.”

A man and girl wear life jackets while on board a PWC on the water, Florida life jacket laws concept.

Life Jacket Laws for Personal Watercraft (PWC) and Tow Sports

When riding or operating a personal watercraft (PWC), everyone on board the craft must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times. Inflatable life jackets do not qualify as “adequate” for riders of PWCs.

Additionally, anyone towed behind a boat must wear a USCG-approved life jacket. Again, inflatable PFDs are not permitted.

A red powerboat at the dock.

Florida’s Muffler and Noise Level Laws

When operating a motorized vessel in Florida, it must have a noise-muffling device.

If your boat is too loud, enforcement authorities can request you to submit to a sound level test. Refusing to submit to this test is a second-degree misdemeanor.

Additionally, boat operators cannot use exhaust cutouts unless the boat is competing in a regatta or official boat race.

Mufflers on Airboats

In Florida, you must muffle the exhaust of every engine used on an airboat with one of the following:
  • An underwater exhaust
  • An automotive-type factory muffler
  • A device capable of muffling the sound of the engine exhaust.

A red fishing boat moves quickly on the water, know Florida life jacket laws concept.

Follow Florida Life Jacket Laws and Boat Safely

While this quick overview of Florida life jacket laws and muffler requirements can help you boat legally on the state’s waterways, it’s only a few of the things boaters should know to stay safe when operating motorized vessels.

To learn everything you need to know about safe boating, take the BOATsmart! boater education course for Florida. You’ll enjoy our online course and gain the knowledge you need to protect yourself and others on the water.

First published in March 2019. Content most recently reviewed and updated for recency and accuracy October 25, 2024.

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