Rental Safety Information

Download a flyer with this motorboat rental safety information.

• Alcohol and many other drugs are dangerous when combined with boating. Do not operate any boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• It is easy to slip and fall into the water if sitting on the front (bow), sides (gunwales), rear (stern) or a swim platform and be severely injured by the boat propeller. Operate at a safe speed and be cautious about proper loading of passengers and gear.
• You and your passengers must know the location and proper use of life jackets and other safety equipment for the boat you are renting. It is always best to wear a life jacket when on the water, and children under the age specified by law are required to wear one.
• When boating after sunset and before sunrise, or when visibility is poor, your boat must display navigation lights. An anchor light must be displayed if you anchor for the night. Should a problem arise, you must know how to properly use the boat’s distress signals.
• If the boat is equipped with an ignition kill switch, you should always use it when the boat is underway.
• Most boating accidents involve collisions due to operator inattention or carelessness. Be aware of dangers approaching from any direction.
• The rules for meeting, passing and crossing paths of other boats are important.
• When you meet another boat head-on, you should steer to the right (starboard).
• To overtake (pass) another boat, you should pass on the left (port) side, leave plenty of room and yield (give way) to that boat. If conditions require it, you may pass on the right (starboard) side.
• Crossing the path of another boat requires that you yield (give way) to the boat on your right (starboard). Any time there is a threat of collision, you must slow down, stop or steer away.
• Coming into contact with the boat’s propeller is likely to cause serious injury or death. Be careful of people in the water and minimize risk of falls overboard.
• Do not let anyone jump, dive or swim from or near the boat unless the motor is turned off, the keys are removed, the propeller has stopped turning and you have checked the water depth.
• The boat’s motor(s) and other equipment such as generators and appliances produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause death quickly. Keep everyone away from the boat’s exhaust at all times and keep the boat well ventilated.
• If someone falls overboard or unexpectedly ends up in the water, you must have a plan. Be prepared to slow down quickly, throw the person a throwable flotation device (unless the person is wearing a life jacket) and approach from downwind or into the current. Help the person into the boat once the motor is turned off.
• The boat operator is responsible for damage or injuries caused by the boat’s wake if he or she is negligent and fails to operate in a reasonable and prudent manner. You are responsible for the boat’s wake.
• The rental company has rules aimed at protecting you and your passengers. Understand and follow the rental company’s rules and the boating laws that apply to the type of boat you are renting.
• Make sure your rental company has explained any specific local boating hazards and regulations so you can avoid problems on the water.

Download a flyer with this paddlecraft rental safety information.

• Alcohol and many other drugs are especially dangerous when combined with any form of boating. Do not operate any boat, even one without a motor, while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Boating in any manually propelled boat (such as canoes, kayaks, rafts and rowboats) can be physically challenging. Be careful not to overestimate your physical capabilities or those of the boat you will be using.
• Paddlecraft and other nonmotorized boats have a tendency to be less stable than larger boats. It is important not to overload the boat, to keep at least three points of contact and to stay low in the boat to improve balance.
• Most boating deaths are the result of someone drowning after falling overboard from a small boat. You and your passengers must know the location and proper use of life jackets and other safety equipment for the boat you are renting. It is always best to wear a life jacket when on the water, and children under the age specified by law are required to wear one.
• Most boating accidents involve collisions due to operator inattention or carelessness. Be aware of dangers approaching from any direction.
• To avoid collision with another boat, stay visible so others can see you and alert so you are ready to move out of the way of danger
• Florida IntraCoastal Waterway (ICW); paddlecraft may only operate if there is not another navigable area due to vessel congestion or water obstructions and must proceed with diligence to a location outside of the marked channel When crossing the marked channel of the ICW, paddlecraft must cross in the most direct, continuous and expeditious manner possible and not interfere with other vessel traffic.
• When boating after sunset and before sunrise, or when visibility is poor, you must be prepared to shine a white light (such as a flashlight) in time to avoid a collision with another boat. Should a problem arise, you must know how to properly use distress signals.
• Stay aware of hazards such as wind, water currents and tidal flow that can make it very difficult to reach your intended destination. Pay extra attention to weather, since storms bring lightning and high waves. Avoid boating in poor weather conditions.
• Always wear your life jacket and know what to do if you unexpectedly end up in the water. Stay calm and stay with the boat if possible. If you fall out in a swift current, keep your feet on or near the surface and swim to shore. There you can dump the water out of the boat, re-enter and be on your way.
• The rental company has rules aimed at protecting you and your passengers. Understand and follow the rental company’s rules and the boating laws that apply to the type of boat you are renting.
• Make sure your rental company has explained any specific local boating hazards and regulations so you can avoid problems on the water.
• Hydration and sun protection are important issues. Take drinking water, wear sunblock, polarized sunglasses and a hat.
• Small boats are not good platforms for diving or swimming. Pull the boat to shore before going into the water and be careful to check the water depth.

Download a flyer with this personal watercraft rental safety information.

• Alcohol and many other drugs are dangerous when combined with any form of boating. Do not operate any boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• It is very important to get in the habit of wearing a life jacket while boating. Not only is life jacket wear mandatory for personal watercraft riders, it is also highly recommended that appropriate protective clothing and footwear are worn.
• Securely attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to your wrist or life jacket and wear it at all times. This will ensure the engine stops should you fall overboard.
• Starting and stopping the engine(s) usually requires the push of a button. Stopping the engine will not stop forward motion and will result in the loss of steering.
• The throttle controls your speed and the steering wheel or handlebars move the jet thrust nozzle in different directions to steer the boat. Do not decrease throttle when trying to steer, and always remember that boats don’t have brakes.
• Items such as long hair, loose clothing or life jacket straps can become entangled in moving parts within the water intake grate and cause severe injury or drowning. Stay away from the intake grate.
• Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the rear of the boat. Water forced from the jet thrust nozzle can cause serious bodily injury.
• Most boating injuries and many deaths are the result of collisions. Learning to avoid collisions will keep your boating experience safe and more enjoyable.
• Most boating accidents are due to operator inattention or carelessness. Be aware ofdangers approaching from any direction.
• Operate at a safe speed while keeping more than enough distance between you and other boats. Remember, the faster you are going the more distance you will travel when trying to react to danger, thus increasing the likelihood of collision and serious bodily injury or death.
• It is unsafe and against the law to follow closely behind another boat, to spray another boat or a person, to jump boat wakes close to a boat and to make sharp turns or maneuvers which make it difficult for others to avoid colliding with you.
• Personal watercraft and jet boats are not toys. It is important that you avoid aggressive maneuvers, sharp turns or jump waves or wakes. These activities increase the risk of back/spinal injuries (paralysis), facial injuries and broken bones.
• For personal watercraft operators, it is important that you follow the proper instructions for righting the boat in the event you capsize in open water. Discuss this with your rental company before going out.
• The rental company has rules aimed at protecting you and your passengers. Understand and follow the rental company’s rules and the boating laws that apply to the type of boat you are renting.
• Make sure your rental company has explained any specific local boating hazards and regulations so you can avoid problems on the water.
• There are specific warnings and instructions that apply to the boat you are going to operate. Become familiar with all product labels on the boat and follow the directions.

Download a flyer with this sailboat rental safety information.

• Alcohol and many other drugs are dangerous when combined with any form of boating. Do not operate any boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Sailing often requires passengers to shift weight within the boat, enhancing the possibility of slipping and falling into the water if outside the cockpit or cabin. Be cautious about proper loading of passengers and gear while keeping passengers in safe seating and riding locations.
• You and your passengers must know the location and proper use of life jackets and other safety equipment for the boat you are renting. It is always best to wear a life jacket when on the water, and children under the age specified by law are required to wear one.
• When boating after sunset and before sunrise, or when visibility is poor, your boat must display navigation lights. An anchor light must be displayed if you anchor for the night. Should a problem arise, you must know how to properly use the distress signals onboard the boat.
• Most boating accidents involve collisions due to operator inattention or carelessness. Be aware of dangers approaching from any direction.
• The rules for meeting, passing and crossing paths of other boats are important. When you meet another boat head-on, you should steer to the right (starboard).
• To overtake (pass) another boat, you should pass on the left (port) side, leave plenty of room and yield (give way) to that boat. If conditions require it, you may pass on the right (starboard) side.
• Crossing the path of another boat requires that you yield (give way) to the boat on your right (starboard). Any time there is a threat of collision, you must slow down, stop or steer away.
• Do not let anyone jump, dive or swim from or near the boat unless the motor is turned off, the propeller has stopped turning (if applicable) and you have checked the water depth.
• The boat’s motor(s) and other equipment such as generators and appliances (if equipped) produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause death quickly. Keep everyone away from any exhaust at all times and keep the boat well ventilated.
• If someone falls overboard or unexpectedly ends up in the water, you must have a plan. Practice your person-overboard drills regularly. Only help the person into the boat if the motor is turned off.
• The rental company has rules aimed at protecting you and your passengers. Understand and follow the rental company’s rules and the boating laws that apply to the type of boat you are renting.
• Make sure your rental company has explained any specific local boating hazards and regulations so you can avoid problems on the water.