Marine Connection of Vero Beach

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Vero Beach, most boaters start on the Indian River Lagoon and follow the marked Intracoastal Waterway channel. The lagoon is calmer than the ocean, but it is broad and shallow outside the channel. MacWilliam Park, Round Island Park and Wabasso Causeway Boat Ramp are local put-ins for lagoon cruising. For a bigger day, continue to Sebastian Inlet, which connects the lagoon with the Atlantic Ocean and also provides access to the Sebastian River. The Atlantic is open water, and NOAA warns that Sebastian Inlet is particularly hazardous for small boats without experience and local knowledge.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

Boaters from Vero Beach make day trips to the Sebastian Inlet sandbar, Boat Club Island and downtown Fort Pierce. The lagoon-side sandbar at Sebastian Inlet draws groups for swimming, floats and boat cookouts. Boat Club Island, also designated Spoil Island IR-25, provides public recreation and two docks in the Indian River Lagoon. Fort Pierce City Marina offers public and transient dockage near downtown restaurants, shops, galleries, museums and parks.

Source: Visit Indian River County (visitindianrivercounty.com)