Undoubtedly, a boating cruise can provide a fun experience and an incredible adrenaline rush for anyone. This is even more true for lovers of water adventurers. However, these cruises can also lead to dangerous situations if care and adequate safety measures are not ensured. Indeed, one of the significant safety measures you should ensure before going on a cruise is to learn the boating laws in that area. For instance, you should learn about the Tampa boating laws before you set sail in the area. 

According to the Florida FWC, all boaters must learn about Tampa water safety rules and regulations before sailing on its waters. This will not only reduce your chances of getting in a boating accident, but it will also help to protect your life and properties in emergencies. 

Perhaps, you are already wondering how to learn these regulations. In that case, you don’t have to worry anymore, as this article is here to help. We will teach you the essential information you should know about Tampa boating laws. So, ensure to read till the end if you want to discover them. 

Why is it Crucial to Learn about the Tampa Boating Laws? 

There are several reasons why you should learn about water safety laws in Tampa before you set sail. Some of them will be listed below. 

• They help to protect you and your properties. One of the obvious benefits of learning about the Tampa boating laws is that they help to protect you and your properties while on Tampa waters. You should know that most safety laws are put in place to protect you against injuries and damages. So, learning and observing them will help to keep you safe. 

• They guide you on what to do in boating accident situations. The Florida and Tampa boating laws have provided information about specific actions to take in accident situations. So, learning about them will help to guide you on the best steps to take if you get involved in a boating accident. 

• They teach you how to interact with other vehicles on Tampa waters. Of course, you should expect to meet other vehicles while cruising on Tampa waters. You should also know that these vehicles have rights as much as yours. Plus, violating these rights might get you into legal trouble. However, learning about Tampa boating laws will help you interact with these other vehicles on the water without violating their rights. 

• It would also help if you had a boating accident lawyer in Tampa on your speed dial. These lawyers will help you interpret the laws and navigate accident situations. 

What are the Essential Things You Should Know about Tampa Boating Laws? 

Here are some crucial things you should know about Tampa’s boating laws before you set sail: 

What does the Law Say about Registering a Boat in Tampa? 

According to Florida boating laws, any water vehicle in the state powered by an engine must register through the local tax collector’s office. Plus, the registration certificate has to be on board at all times. This is to enable easy inspection by law enforcement agents. 

Tampa boating laws also mandate all boats in its area to be registered and numbered in their first 30 days of purchase. Also, the registration numbers are displayed above water levels in the front half of the boat. More so, registration letters on the boat are to be separated by a hyphen or space equating to letter width. 

Finally, the boat registration decal is to be renewed yearly and displayed on the left side of the boat, just around six inches after or before the registration number. 

What does the Law Say about Boating Age and Operator Restrictions? 

Florida boating laws and regulations do not allow people under 14 to operate water vehicles in its area, including Tampa. This is regardless of whether they have a Boater Safety Education ID Card. 

So this means that underage boaters are not allowed to own or operate watercraft in Tampa waterways.  

What does the Law Say about Life Jackets and other Personal Flotation Devices? 

According to Florida water safety laws, there should be a provision for personal flotation devices for every person on board. These devices can include wearable Type I to V life jackets. 

Also, anybody operating a personal watercraft or being towed behind such a vehicle must wear a non-inflatable flotation device. It is worth noting that a personal watercraft can include a jet ski or other small water vehicles. Moreover, your flotation devices for these types of vehicles have to be approved by local authorities. 

What does the Law Say about Boating Accidents in Tampa? 

According to Tampa boating laws, anytime a boating accident leads to severe injuries that can not be treated by first aid, such cases should be reported to local authorities as soon as possible. The same goes for a missing person from an accident, indicating fatality or death. 

The law also requires that boating accident survivors report to law enforcement officers if the accident causes damages to personal properties up to $2000. 

Moreover, Tampa boating accident laws require watercraft operators to provide as much aid as possible to boating accident victims in Tampa. It is illegal for such people to leave a boating accident scene without offering help to the accident victims. Plus, they must report such accidents to local authorities as soon as possible. 

What do the Tampa Boating Laws Say about Boating Under the Influence? 

Operating any water-based vehicle under the influence of alcohol or hard drugs is a dangerous endeavor that will most likely lead to accidents. This is why most safety laws prohibit driving under the influence. However, you should know that the case is not different from Tampa boating laws. 

According to Florida safety laws, it is illegal to have an alcohol concentration of over .08% in your blood while operating a watercraft. This is the same thing for driving motor vehicles in the area. Also, people under 21 are prohibited from operating watercraft with a blood alcohol concentration of over .02%. 

Of course, going against these rules will amount to a violation of the law and will attract stiff penalties. Moreover, operating a watercraft under the influence will most likely lead you to a boating accident. 

What are the Water Skiing Regulations in Tampa? 

Water safety laws in Tampa stipulate that everybody on water skis in the area should carry an approved, non-inflatable, wearable personal floatation device at all times. Plus, nobody is allowed on skis or other such vehicles in Tampa waterways from ½ hour past sunset to ½ hour before the sun rises. 

And in cases where other watercraft operators are towing a ski or any other devices, another person should be on board. This other person is to act as an observer, steadily watching out for the skier’s actions. Finally, Tampa boating laws prohibit skiers in the area from skiing under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Again, this protects the skier’s cognitive abilities while on Tampa waterways. 

Why it is Crucial to Hire a Boating Accident Lawyer in Tampa

It does not need to tell that the moments after a boating accident can be pretty blurry, and anyone can get easily confused about the next steps to take. But then, you should know that boating accident lawyers are specially trained for such situations. 

So, one of your first actions after a boating accident should be to contact them for the advantages they will bring to your case. Here are some benefits you stand to gain from hiring a boating accident lawyer for your case. 

• They help to provide clarity in the confusing moments after a boating accident. 
• They can guide you on the necessary actions after a boating accident in Tampa. 
• They can help you to negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries and damages from the accident. 
• They can help you maximize accident witness testimonies for your case. 
• They are often ready to go to trial when it becomes necessary. 

Perhaps, you are yet to get into a boating accident. In that case, you can still get a boating accident lawyer’s contact on your speed dial. This is so that you do not have to go through the stress of finding one when you get in such situations. 

Conclusion 

The Tampa Bay Area, and the rest of Florida, has one of the busiest waterways in America today. So, you must be extra careful while cruising in this region to avoid an accident. Indeed, one of the best precautionary steps you can take before setting sail in this area is to learn about the Tampa boating laws. 

You should also contact us at Coleman Law Group now. We are here to provide more clarity by helping you interpret the Tampa boating laws.