What You Actually Need On Board When FWC Pulls You Over

Whether you're a few miles from the dock or a few miles offshore, when an FWC or Coast Guard boat pulls you over it's stressful. The officer asks to come aboard for a safety check. You wave him over, you're fine, you're sure. A year later you still remember this day because they wrote you a $500 ticket for the throwable PFD that wasn't where it was supposed to be or it was too old or ripped.

This isn't hypothetical. FWC inspects vessels for compliance any time they're underway in Florida waters, and they're allowed to. Most fines run $90 to $500 per violation. The two items most boats miss when boarded: a serviceable Type IV throwable PFD, and a current visual distress signal.

Here's exactly what FWC checks for, what's required federally vs by Florida specifically, and what we'd carry beyond the legal minimum.

Federal (USCG) requirements that apply everywhere in the US

These come from 46 CFR 175.130 and related sections. They apply to recreational vessels in any state.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) One wearable USCG-approved PFD per person on board. Browse our PFD selection. Must be appropriate size, serviceable, and easily accessible. Not stuffed in a sealed compartment under tackle. Vessels 16 ft and over: ALSO need one USCG-approved Type IV throwable (cushion or ring), immediately available, not stored away. This is the most commonly cited violation we see.

Fire extinguishers (marine-rated, B-class) Less than 26 ft with inboard or portable fuel tank: 1 B-I 26 ft to 40 ft: 2 B-I or 1 B-II 40 ft to 65 ft: 3 B-I or 1 B-II + 1 B-I Must be in serviceable condition (gauge in green) and within manufacturer date.

Visual Distress Signals (VDS) Required on vessels 16 ft and over on coastal waters, and on any vessel at night. Must cover both day and night signaling. Options: Pyrotechnic flares, which expire 42 months from manufacture date. Most boats carry expired ones without realizing it. Electronic distress signal. The Sirius Signal C-1003 is USCG-approved, includes daytime distress flag and whistle, runs 60-plus hours, and never expires. Around $100. Built to 46 CFR 161.013. We also stock the ACR ResQFlare (electronic flare plus distress flag) and the Orion Electronic SOS Beacon as USCG-approved electronic options. The C-1003 covers day, night, AND audible compliance in one device. Most of our customers have made the switch.

Sound-producing device All vessels need a whistle or horn audible for at least 1 nautical mile. The Orion Whistle/Mirror Kit covers the audible requirement and adds a signal mirror. Vessels 39.4 ft (12m) and over also need a bell.

Navigation lights Required between sunset and sunrise, and during reduced visibility (fog, heavy rain, haze). Sealed-beam bulbs fade. If yours are dim, you're effectively non-compliant. LED replacements stay bright and outlast the boat.

Ventilation (inboard gasoline engines) Backfire flame arrestor on each carburetor. Engine compartment ventilation. A working blower like the Jabsco 4" 250 CFM bilge blower clears fuel vapors before you start the engine.

Florida-specific additions (FWC)

These layer on top of federal requirements when you're in Florida waters.

• Children under 6 must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD at all times when on a vessel under 26 ft that is underway. This one gets cited often. Kid not in a PFD in a bowrider seat? Ticket.
• Boater education ID is required for anyone born after January 1, 1988 who is operating a vessel powered by 10 HP or more. Card must be on board.
• FWC officers may stop and inspect at any time without probable cause. It's not a traffic stop, it's a safety check, and they have authority on all Florida waters.

A note on traveling out of state

Most of the federal list above applies everywhere. But PFD age rules, education requirements, throwable specifics, and water-sport (ski and wake) gear vary by state. If you trailer to GA, SC, NC, or further, check the receiving state's regulations before you launch. The USCG App (free, iOS and Android) has a state-by-state lookup. We'd recommend keeping it on your phone.

What we'd carry beyond the legal minimum

Compliance keeps you out of fines. None of it keeps you alive in the water.

A real ditch bag Handheld VHF, GPS, water, an EPIRB or PLB, the Sirius C-1003, flashlight, knife, sunscreen. We carry the ACR GlobalFix V6 EPIRB Survival Kit as a starting point and sell the components individually. Text us for a custom build.

A real first-aid kit Rather than the band-aid drawer in the head. The Orion Blue Water is what we'd grab for offshore.

• A second fire extinguisher beyond the legal requirement, mounted in the cabin or salon. The required ones usually live in the engine bay, which is useless if the fire is in the galley.
• A spare PFD beyond your headcount. Friends bring kids unexpectedly.

Short version

The FWC officer is doing the job in 90 seconds. Your boat passes if you have the items in serviceable condition and where they're supposed to be. If you've been meaning to refresh your distress signals or replace expired flares, the Sirius Signal C-1003 kit is the cleanest path. One device, never expires, USCG-stamped.

Questions about a specific item or building a compliance kit for your boat? Text us at 561-267-6069.