Safety on the water.

Safety on the water should always be the number one priority. The old saying, "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work," I disagree. I've had a bad day of fishing and I would have rather been at work that day.  Here are the safety requirements for Florida. Each State may be different, and this list is just the MINIMUM required. When it comes to safety, more is better. 

Florida Safety Equipment for Kayaks (less than 16 feet in length)

• PFD - All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access. 

I highly recommend that you always wear your PFD when out on the water.

• Sound producing device - All vessels are required to carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a referee's whistle.

• Navigation Lights - Watercraft under oars (such as a canoe or kayak) may display the lights prescribed for sailboats (less than 7 meters), but if not, must have ready at hand an electric torch or lighting lantern (flashlight) showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision.

• Visual Distress - Vessels less than 16 feet in length are required to carry at least 3 visual distress signals approved for nighttime use when on coastal waters from sunset to sunrise.  Vessels 16 feet or longer must carry at least 3 daytime and three nighttime visual distress signals (or 3 combination daytime/nighttime signals) at all times when on coastal waters.

• NOTE: Coastal waters means the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and all bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, inlets, etc. where any entrance is over two (2) miles wide to the first point where the distance between shorelines narrows to 2 miles. 

I also recommend filling out a float plan before each trip. Even if it's just telling someone where you will be, how long you'll be gone and when you expect to return. Here is an example of a float plan.  

Float Plan

Here is a great safety video posted by the Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Association. I highly recommend watching it.

Gulf Coast Kayak Association Safety Video

D.S

#HOOK1KFG