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Boating Safety Part 2: Florida’s Life Jacket Laws

Life jackets are essential safety gear when you are boating in South Florida or anywhere else. Just like you buckle up your seat belt as soon as you get into a car, you should strap on a life jacket when you step onto a boat. Let’s take a look at how life jackets can keep you safe on the water:

Who Should Wear a Life Jacket?

Florida law requires that anyone using a personal watercraft or being towed behind a boat (e.g. jet skiing) wear a life jacket. Additionally, children under six years old must wear a life jacket when they are on a boat that is less than 26 feet long. While these are the legal requirements for wearing a lifejacket, the smart approach is for everyone on a boat to wear a life jacket at all times. Even if you are a strong swimmer, a life jacket can save your life by keeping you afloat if you fall in the water and are injured, unconscious, or too fatigued to swim. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a 2022 analysis of boat accidents showed that “of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 85% were not wearing a life jacket[1]”.

What Are the Different Types of Life Jackets?

Different types of life jackets are appropriate for different conditions. There are adult life jackets, children’s life jackets, and infant life jackets. Life jackets can also be made of foam or inflatable. Life jackets use a numbering system ranging from 50-275 based on the buoyancy they provide and the harshness of the conditions someone may face in the water.

How Should a Boat Owner Store Life Jackets?

There must be a life jacket available for each passenger on a boat. The jackets should be stored out of direct sunlight and somewhere that is easily accessible so passengers can quickly put one on in an emergency if they are not already wearing one. The boat owner should also regularly check the life jackets for signs of wear and replace them when needed.

What Should I Do if I Am Thrown into the Water from a Boat and Injured?

Most importantly, you should seek prompt medical attention. Once your condition is stable, contact ECanter Lawyers to investigate your situation to see if you have a legal case against the boat operator. You may be eligible to secure compensation for your injuries. If you are a passenger on a boat, the boat operator has a duty of care toward you. This means that the boat must be properly stocked with the right life jackets, the operator must be properly trained and sober, and the boat must be well-maintained. If you’ve been in a boating accident in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, or anywhere in South Florida, call us today to learn about your legal rights.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

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[1] U.S. Coast Guard. 2022 Recreational Boating Statistics (uscgboating.org). Accessed June 12, 2024.