Florida Statutes Title XXIV. Vessels § 327.39. Personal watercraft regulated

(1) A person may not operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on or being towed behind such vessel is wearing a personal flotation device, other than an inflatable device, currently approved by the United States Coast Guard and used in accordance with the United States Coast Guard approval label.

(2) A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch must attach such lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device as is appropriate for the specific vessel.

(3) A person may not operate a personal watercraft at any time between the hours from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. However, an agent or employee of a fire or emergency rescue service is exempt from this subsection while performing his or her official duties.

(4) A personal watercraft must at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers which unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, limb, or property, including, but not limited to, weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to such other vessel or when visibility around such other vessel is obstructed, and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision shall constitute reckless operation of a vessel, as provided in s. 327.33(1). Any person operating a personal watercraft must comply with the provisions of s. 327.33.

(5) No person under the age of 14 shall operate any personal watercraft on the waters of this state.

(7) This section does not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or participating in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition held in compliance with s. 327.48.