Skip to main content

Boating Safety



The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has a message for anyone shopping for a boater. A new, comfortable life jacket makes an ideal gift, and it could save someone's life.

"A lot of people don't wear life jackets because they feel they're uncomfortable," said Capt. Tom Shipp of the FWC's Boating and Waterways Section. "However, with newer models, such as belt packs or suspenders, you hardly feel them. Replacing an old, bulky life jacket with a newer model makes a great gift."

Belt-pack and suspender life jackets are inflatable. Some inflate automatically when a person falls into the water, while others inflate after the wearer pulls a cord. Prices of the belt-pack and suspender life jackets start at approximately $60.

That's the gift that shows that you care. So does a membership to SeaTow or Boat US, or maybe an EPIRB or PLB. For more discussion of dive safety, check out FS member Comandante's Forum thread, Florida Dive Flag Protocol.

For more boating safety information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating or call 850-488-5600.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Gear

Best Features of the Shallow Sport X3

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Learn

How to Fix an Outboard Motor that was Submerged in Saltwater

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Analyzing a Hurricane Damaged Boat for Restoration

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

How to Design & Build a Custom Dash Panel for a Boat

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Sportfish

Catching Tarpon in the Florida Keys: A Multi-Decade Obsession

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Todd Flis' Ultimate Aluminum Custom Skiff | One Man's Dreamboat

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

How to Change the Look of Your Boat with Three Custom Upgrades

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Reassembling a Yamaha F300 After a Fresh Paint Job

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Allan Black's 25 Bostom Whaler Outrage | One Man's Dreamboat

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Learn

How to Repaint an Outboard Engine to Look Brand New

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Store

Faux Wood HydraStepp Splash Finale

American crocodile crashes popular South Florida fishing pier among schools of bait. Hey, crocs like mullet too.
Learn

Crocodile Spotted off Popular South Florida Fishing Pier

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now