1 Scope and responsibilities
This Safety Policy applies to New Wave Harbor LLC services that link to it and should be read with our Terms and Conditions, the Operator’s rental documents and instructions, and applicable law. The independent Operator provides the vessel and trip. New Wave Harbor LLC supplies booking technology and does not certify the safety of every vessel or replace the Operator, captain or maritime authorities.
Follow the rules for the actual location, vessel and trip. Florida guidance below is not a complete statement of every jurisdiction’s requirements.
2 Renter conduct and boating qualifications
The renter and every person who operates the vessel must satisfy the disclosed qualifications and applicable law, attend required instruction, follow navigation and safety rules, and obey the lawful directions of the captain. Do not exceed capacity, use the vessel outside approved waters or hours, permit an unauthorized person to operate it, tow or race without permission, carry prohibited items, or use the trip for an unlawful purpose. Operating while impaired is prohibited.
Wear and use required safety equipment, including life jackets and an engine cutoff device where required. Follow rules for children, personal watercraft, wildlife protection, restricted areas, and weather. The renter must give guests the relevant safety information and arrange required parental or guardian permissions; the renter cannot waive another person’s legal rights merely by making a group booking.
For Florida trips, a person born on or after January 1, 1988 generally needs the documents required by Florida Statutes section 327.395 to operate a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more, unless a statutory exemption applies. Approved temporary, out-of-state, or other qualifying documentation may be accepted as the law permits. The Operator must verify the applicable requirements. Florida prohibits personal watercraft operation by a person under 14; stricter Operator or insurer rules may apply.
In an emergency, contact emergency services or the appropriate maritime authority immediately; do not rely on platform chat for rescue. Notify the Operator and then company support as soon as safe. Operators and vessel users must make legally required accident and overdue-vessel reports, preserve relevant information, and cooperate with lawful investigations.
3 Operator duties and Florida rentals
An Operator must have authority to list and rent the vessel, maintain its registration and required documentation, keep it seaworthy and properly equipped, and comply with applicable vessel, business, tax, accessibility, and consumer laws. It must verify captain credentials and inspection requirements appropriate to the actual trip. A listing badge or a review by New Wave Harbor LLC does not transfer these duties to the company.
An Operator that falls within Florida’s livery rules must maintain the required FWC permit and insurance, provide required safety information and instruction, and obtain the required signed records and written rental agreement. The rental agreement must capture the legally required renter, passenger-count, return-time, and emergency-contact details. Statutory records and insurance acknowledgments must be retained for the applicable periods. Accepting these website Terms alone does not complete those separate requirements.
If renter insurance must be offered and the renter declines it, the Operator must use the required separate acknowledgment and disclose the actual bindable price and other mandated information. No general checkbox in these Terms substitutes for that acknowledgment. The Operator must not offer or conduct an unlawful rental or represent a vessel as insured without valid supporting coverage.
4 Captained trips and bareboat charters
An Operator must correctly identify whether a trip is a rental, a true bareboat charter, or a captained passenger service. Federal requirements depend on the vessel, passenger count, crew arrangement, waters, and actual control of the vessel. Advertising a trip as “bareboat” does not determine its legal classification.
For a true bareboat charter, the arrangement must give the charterer the possession and control required by law, including a genuine right to choose qualified crew where crew are hired. An Operator must not use a nominal bareboat agreement to avoid passenger-vessel inspection, licensing, or safety obligations. Separate charter and captain agreements must accurately describe their roles. New Wave Harbor LLC does not certify that any particular charter structure is lawful.
5 Conditions before departure
Before departure, review the Operator’s safety instructions, passenger capacity, permitted route and return arrangements. Ask where safety equipment is kept and how to use it. Report concerns about the vessel or missing equipment to the Operator before departure. Do not proceed if required instruction, equipment, qualifications or safe operating conditions are missing.
The Operator and captain, where supplied, must assess weather and restrictions for the trip. Cancellations and interruptions are addressed in our Cancellation Policy; no one is required to operate unsafely to avoid a charge.
6 Insurance and boating risks
Boating involves risks including weather, currents, collision, equipment failure, falls, drowning, injury, death, and property loss. You should assess the activity, your abilities, and the disclosed conditions and take appropriate precautions. This acknowledgment does not waive a duty that cannot lawfully be waived or release any person from liability prohibited by applicable maritime or consumer law.
New Wave Harbor LLC is not an insurer and does not promise that a booking automatically includes insurance, a damage waiver, towing, or trip protection. Any actual protection must be identified separately with the provider, coverage, exclusions, limits, deductible, cost, and claims procedure. An Operator’s commercial policy may protect the Operator without protecting the renter. Statutory obligations to cover a renter or offer coverage remain applicable.
An Operator may require a separately reviewed and lawfully executed rental agreement, safety acknowledgment, or release appropriate to the trip. These Terms are not a substitute for a vessel-specific release, and no blanket release of negligence or minor passenger claims is created by this section.
7 Emergencies and reporting
For an immediate emergency in the United States, call 911 or contact the appropriate maritime rescue authority using available emergency communications. Give your location and follow their instructions. Do not rely on website chat, email or the customer-support number for rescue.
Notify the Operator and then company support when it is safe. Preserve relevant incident information and comply with applicable accident-reporting requirements. A report to New Wave Harbor LLC does not replace a report required by authorities.
8 Official guidance and contact
Review the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating regulations and the official instructions for your departure location. Requirements can change and vary by vessel and activity.
For policy questions, contact New Wave Harbor LLC at support@newwaveharbor.com or +1 (754) 230-0961. Mailing address: Attention Legal and Privacy, 2719 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 5757, Hollywood, FL 33020, USA. This number is for customer support, not an emergency dispatch service.