Laws and Safety Equipment

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

REGISTRATION, NUMBERING, AND DOCUMENTATION

Registration

Most states and territories require registration of powered vessels and many also require registration for non-powered vessels. Registration and numbering violations are one of the top reasons for citations or arrests. Understanding the legal requirements for boat registration will help boaters to avoid unnecessary violations and resulting fines. Penalties for failing to register a vessel may involve paying a fine as well as the possibility of serving jail time.

• All registrations must be renewed either anually or bi-annually in the birth month of the owner.
• All out of state vessels in Florida for more than 90 consecutive days must be registered in Florida.
• Titling your boat is required (similar to a motor vehicle title).
• A certificate of number (registration card) will be issued upon registering the Florida vessel. The numbers assigned on the card must be properly displayed on your vessel.
• The registration card must be carried on board whenever the boat is underway!

All vessels used on the waters of the state must be registered, either commercial or recreational as defined in this chapter, except as follows:

• Vessels used exclusively on private lakes or ponds
• A vessel owned by the United States Government
• A vessel used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat
• A non-motor-powered vessel less than 16 feet in length, and any non-motor-powered canoe, kayak, racing shell, or rowing scull, regardless of length

Titling

• Apply for your title and registration with the county tax collectors.
• All vessels, except documented vessels and non-motor-powered vessels less than 16 feet, must be titled in Florida.
• You will need to know your Hull I.D. number to title and register your boat. If you have a homemade boat, contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or your tax collector's office for a HIN.
• Apply the registration decal within 6” of the registration number .

Numbering

Registered boats must display assigned numbers properly. The state will issue you a registration number, which is found on your registration card. The number needs to be displayed in the following manner:

• Numbers must be permanently attached to the forward half of the vessel, generally the bow area.
• The numbers must be at least 3” in height. BLOCK style letters and numbers.
• Contrasting in color to the hull (black/white, dark red/white, etc)
• The identification number awarded to a boat or vessel is applied so that the spacing between the prefix, the number and the suffix is at least the width of any number or letter (other than a “1” or an “I”. A hyphen may be placed within the space.
• · Apply state currency decal within 6” of the registration number on the portside and always have the registration onboard whenever the boat is underway (in use).
• No number other than the identification number awarded to a boat or vessel or granted reciprocity shall be painted, attached or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of the boat or vessel.

Documented Boats

• Official Documentation MUST be carried onboard a documented vessel at all times.
• Registration fee and display of validation sticker is required for Florida.
• An Official Document serves as a certificate of nationality and an authorization for a trade.
• Documented vessels must comply with all state and federal laws.
• Registration fee and display of validation sticker is required in Florida.
• THe "Official Number" must be permanently affixed to an integral structure of the boat. This number is referred to as the “main beam” number.
• The main beam number must match the official number on the document.
• The vessel’s official name and hailing port of the boat must be displayed at least once anywhere on the hull (most boater display this information on the transom) - at least 4" in height, contrasting in color to the hull
• Name and hailing port must match information on the official document.

Maximum Loading And Horsepower

No person may operate a monohull boat of less than 20 feet in length while exceeding the maximum weight, persons, or horsepower capacity as displayed on the manufacturer’s capacity plate.