Operator Handbook

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Operator Handbook

Jet Ski Rentals of Miami, operated by BellaExports, LLC

Posted on the Site and incorporated by reference into the Master Operator Agreement (§ 3.2)

Effective: July 2026 | Updated periodically

Introduction

This Operator Handbook is policy guidance, not a binding contract. Your binding obligations as an Operator are in the Master Operator Agreement, § 3.1 (comply with all applicable laws). This Handbook helps you understand what compliance looks like for the category of Service you provide. We update it from time to time. The version posted on the Site at the time of an event is the operative version.

If you spot a conflict between this Handbook and the Master Agreement, the Master Agreement controls.

A. General operating standards (all categories)

A.1 Business setup

You should:

Be a duly organized Florida LLC, corporation, or other entity in good standing.
Hold a current Florida Sales & Use Tax Certificate of Registration if you collect sales tax.
Hold any Local Business Tax Receipt required for your locality (Miami-Dade County and any city where you operate).
Carry workers' compensation for any W-2 employees as required by Fla. Stat. Chapter 440.

A.2 Customer interactions

Respond to bookings within 24 hours (or the request automatically declines).
Provide a clear receipt at the time of Service showing the Operator Rate, applicable taxes collected, and your contact information per Fla. Stat. § 212.07.
Communicate professionally with Customers. Do not disparage the Platform, other Operators, or Customers.

A.3 Incident reporting

Notify Platform within 24 hours by email of any:

Personal injury requiring medical attention beyond first aid
Death
Property damage exceeding $2,000
Fire, collision, capsize, rollover, or other incident requiring report to a regulator
Customer complaint of a serious nature (safety, harassment, fraud)

A.4 Insurance

You must carry insurance customary for your category and Service, and no less than any coverage minimum required by applicable law. The Master Operator Agreement § 8 sets the contractual requirement. This Handbook provides suggested ranges by category below. Confirm that your policy contemplates:

Bodily injury and property damage to Customers and third parties
Pollution coverage if you fuel vessels or vehicles
Operator-controlled fleet coverage if you own multiple units
A 2-year tail or occurrence-based form, so post-termination claims are covered

To the extent permitted by your carrier, name BellaExports, LLC as additional insured and make coverage primary and non-contributory.

A.5 Tax collection

You are the seller of record for your Services. You collect and remit all applicable federal, state, and local taxes yourself. In Florida this is 6% state sales tax plus 1% Miami-Dade discretionary surtax on taxable transactions, collected directly from the Customer at the meeting point. Platform does not collect or remit tax on your behalf and is not your tax advisor.

A.6 Meeting point

The meeting point is the location where the Customer and Operator meet to begin the Service. It may be a dock slip, beach launch, marina, trailhead, ranch, parking lot, or other location appropriate to the Service. You are responsible for posting an accurate meeting point in the listing and communicating any last-minute changes to the Customer.

B. Personal watercraft (PWC) / jet ski

B.1 Florida statutes that apply to you

Fla. Stat. § 327.54 — Liveries, safety regulations, penalty
Fla. Stat. § 327.39 — Personal watercraft regulations (age, time, manner of operation)
Fla. Stat. § 327.395 — Boater education
Fla. Stat. § 327.30 — Accident reporting
Fla. Stat. § 327.50 — Personal flotation devices
Fla. Stat. § 327.35 — Boating under the influence
Fla. Stat. § 328.48 — Vessel registration
Fla. Admin. Code R. 68D-34.002 — Livery pre-rental instruction

B.2 Permits and registrations

Active FWC Livery Operator Permit (no cost, renewed annually). Operating without one is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Each PWC currently registered with FWC, displaying valid numbers and decals.

B.3 Insurance (suggested)

$500,000 per person, $1,000,000 per occurrence, and $500,000 property damage marine general liability. This is the statutory minimum under Fla. Stat. § 327.54(7). Most professionals carry higher: $1M / $2M is common.
Hull and machinery coverage to the value of your fleet.
Pollution coverage if you fuel.

B.4 Customer rules

No rental to anyone under 18 years of age (Fla. Stat. § 327.39).
Verify each renter's government photo ID at the meeting point.
Verify each renter's Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (or NASBLA-recognized out-of-state equivalent) if the renter was born on or after January 1, 1988 (Fla. Stat. § 327.395). If they don't have one, you may issue a Temporary Certificate after the safety briefing.
Do not rent to anyone who appears intoxicated.

B.5 Pre-rental briefing (required)

Each renter receives:

Operating instructions specific to the vessel
Florida boating rules, rules of the road, local restrictions (manatee zones, idle-speed zones, no-wake zones)
Demonstration of engine cut-off switch lanyard use
Requirement to wear a USCG-approved PFD at all times
Accident reporting requirements
PWC operating restrictions: no operation between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, and no passengers in excess of manufacturer rating
Renter's written or digital acknowledgment of the briefing

B.6 Safety equipment on each PWC

USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD for every passenger
Engine cut-off switch lanyard
Sound-producing device (whistle or horn)
Manufacturer-required equipment in working order
Sufficient fuel for the rental duration

B.7 Operator records

Retain the following for at least three (3) years:

Pre-rental briefing acknowledgments
Renter ID copies and Boating Safety verification
Vessel inspection records
Incident reports

C. Captained boat and yacht charters

C.1 Federal regulations that apply to you

46 CFR Part 11 — Merchant Mariner Credentialing (USCG licenses)
46 CFR Subchapter T — Small passenger vessels (under 100 gross tons, carrying more than 6 passengers)
46 CFR Part 16 — Drug and alcohol testing
46 CFR Part 4 — Marine casualty reporting
33 CFR Part 175 — Equipment requirements for recreational vessels
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.)
Jones Act / Passenger Vessel Services Act (46 U.S.C. § 55103)

C.2 Licensing

Each captain holds a current USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with appropriate endorsement:
- OUPV ("Six-Pack") for uninspected vessels carrying up to 6 passengers
- Master 25/50/100/200 GRT for inspected vessels carrying 7+ passengers
Each captain holds a current USCG Medical Certificate.
If you carry 7+ passengers, your vessel holds a current USCG Certificate of Inspection (COI).

C.3 Drug and alcohol testing

If you operate an inspected vessel (or in many cases, any commercial passenger vessel), enroll in a 46 CFR Part 16 drug-testing consortium. The program must include:

Pre-employment, random, post-incident, reasonable-cause, and periodic testing
A designated Marine Employer

C.4 Insurance (suggested)

$1,000,000 per occurrence Commercial Marine General Liability or Protection & Indemnity (P&I) is typical. Larger vessels and higher passenger counts justify $2M+.
Hull and machinery coverage at vessel value or as required by your lender.
Pollution coverage (Oil Pollution Act of 1990 compliance for fueled vessels).
Liquor liability if alcohol is served aboard.

C.5 Vessel registration and documentation

Vessels primarily used in Florida and not USCG-documented: FWC vessel registration.
Vessels of 5 net tons or more in coastwise trade: USCG documentation through the National Vessel Documentation Center.

C.6 Safety equipment

Carry all equipment required by 46 CFR Subchapter T (or applicable subchapter) for your vessel size and operating area, including PFDs (one per person, plus 10% spare), fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, navigation lights, sound-producing devices, throwable PFDs, first-aid kit, VHF radio, and EPIRB or PLB for vessels operating outside protected waters.

C.7 Pre-departure passenger briefing

Required under 46 CFR § 185.506 or applicable equivalent: PFD locations and use, emergency exits, fire procedures, man-overboard procedures, and any restrictions on passenger movement.

C.8 Sales tax

Florida charter operations are taxable under Fla. Stat. Chapter 212 and Fla. Admin. Code R. 12A-1.071. Collect and remit 6% state sales tax plus 1% Miami-Dade discretionary surtax on each charter.

C.9 Marina and dockage

Hold valid dockage authorization at each launch location. Comply with marina rules and any concession or permit requirements from municipal authorities.

C.10 Marine casualty reporting

Report any marine casualty (death, injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, property damage over $25,000, grounding, collision, fire, flooding, hull damage) to USCG within the time required by 46 CFR Part 4. Notify Platform within 24 hours.

D. ATV and off-road recreational tours

D.1 Florida statutes that apply to you

Fla. Stat. § 317.0003 — ATV definitions
Fla. Stat. Chapter 261 — Florida Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Education Act
Fla. Stat. § 261.05 — Helmet requirements
Fla. Stat. § 316.2123 — ATV operation on public roads (limited)

D.2 Land use

Hold written authorization at each operating location: ownership, written lease, written license/use agreement, OHV park permit, or concession agreement.
Do not operate on public roads except as expressly permitted by Fla. Stat. § 316.2123.

D.3 Insurance (suggested)

$1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate commercial general liability is typical.
Coverage must extend to bodily injury, property damage, and operations on the specific land(s) used.
Workers' compensation for guides and instructors.

D.4 Vehicle condition

Maintained per manufacturer guidelines.
Equipped with kill switch, lights (for dawn or dusk), seat belts on UTVs as applicable.
Inspected by Operator before each rental: tires, brakes, throttle, kill switch, fluids, visible defects.

D.5 Helmets and safety equipment

DOT-approved helmet for every rider. Helmet required during operation.
Eye protection (goggles or face shield).
First-aid kit accessible to the guide.
Communication device accessible to the guide.

D.6 Renter screening

Verify each rider's government photo ID, age, and any required safety-education status.
For riders under 16: parent or guardian consent and OHV safety course completion, or operation only on private land with parent or guardian in attendance.
Do not allow operation by anyone who appears intoxicated.

D.7 Pre-ride briefing

Vehicle controls (throttle, brakes, gears, kill switch, seat belt)
Trail or course rules, speed limits, signaling
Group-ride conduct and hand signals
Emergency procedures
Restrictions (no alcohol or drugs, single-rider on single-rider vehicles, no public-road operation except crossings)
Written or digital acknowledgment

D.8 Group ride safety

Maintain a guide-to-rider ratio appropriate to experience and terrain. Do not allow riders to operate beyond their demonstrated competency.

D.9 Incident reporting

Report incidents involving (i) injury beyond first aid, (ii) death, (iii) damage over $2,000, or (iv) fire, collision, or rollover to the appropriate authority and notify Platform within 24 hours.

E. Autocycle and on-road vehicle rentals (e.g., Polaris Slingshot)

E.1 Florida statutes

Fla. Stat. § 316.003(2) — Autocycle classification
Fla. Stat. § 320.01 — Vehicle definitions and registration
Fla. Stat. § 627.733 — Motor vehicle financial responsibility (PIP and no-fault)

E.2 Driver requirements

Renter must hold a valid driver's license. For autocycles in Florida, a standard Class E license is sufficient (no motorcycle endorsement currently required, but verify on each driver's home-state rules if out-of-state).
Verify license, age (typically 21+ for insurance reasons), and absence of recent disqualifying violations.

E.3 Vehicle registration and tags

Each vehicle registered and tagged under Fla. Stat. § 320.01.
Current safety inspection where required.

E.4 Insurance (suggested)

Commercial auto liability sufficient for fleet rental. Typically $1M+ combined single limit.
Florida minimum ($10,000 PIP plus $10,000 PDL) is the floor and is not sufficient for commercial rental.

E.5 Pre-rental briefing

Vehicle controls, including any unique features (steering wheel autocycle handling)
Route restrictions and prohibited zones
Helmet recommendation (not required by Florida law for autocycle but strongly recommended)
Renter acknowledgment of damages, fuel return, and overage policies

F. Other motorized vehicles (including jet cars and non-PWC watercraft)

For small motorboats, jet cars, hydrocycles, and similar motorized vessels that don't meet the PWC definition in Fla. Stat. § 327.02:

Follow most PWC-category guidance under Section B above, with these adjustments:
- Minimum age to operate: 14 (motorboats 10 HP or more require Boating Safety Education for those born on or after January 1, 1988)
- Minimum age to rent: 18
- Nighttime restriction: not statutory like PWC. Check local rules.
Vessel registration with FWC required.
Insurance per Fla. Stat. § 327.54(7) if rented as a livery.

Jet cars and similar novelty motorized watercraft may fall under different vessel classifications depending on hull design, propulsion type, and passenger count. Confirm the correct classification with your marine insurance carrier before listing.

H. Equine activities (horseback tours)

For horseback rides, beach horseback tours, and similar equine activities:

H.1 Florida statutes

Fla. Stat. Chapter 773 — Equine Activities Liability Act
Fla. Stat. § 773.03 — Required posting and written notice of inherent risks

H.2 Required notice and waivers

Post the statutory equine liability warning conspicuously at each meeting point and stable.
Obtain the participant's signed written notice acknowledging inherent risks of equine activities before the ride, in the form required by Fla. Stat. § 773.05.
Retain signed notices for at least three (3) years.

H.3 Land and beach use

Hold written authorization at each operating location, including any Miami-Dade County or municipal beach concession permit (e.g., Virginia Key beach horseback rides require county authorization).
Comply with all local ordinances on animal handling, waste disposal, and permitted beach areas.

H.4 Insurance (suggested)

$1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate commercial general liability with equine liability endorsement.
Care, custody, and control coverage if handling horses owned by others.
Workers' compensation for wranglers and guides.

H.5 Participant screening

Verify each rider's age and any weight limit specific to your horses.
Confirm rider's experience level and match to a suitable horse.
Obtain signed liability release consistent with Fla. Stat. Chapter 773.
Do not allow participation by anyone who appears intoxicated.

H.6 Safety equipment

ASTM/SEI-approved equestrian helmet available for every rider.
Helmet strongly recommended, and required for minors and beginners.
First-aid kit and communication device accessible to the guide.

H.7 Pre-ride briefing

Horse behavior and safety around the animal
Basic riding commands
Trail rules and terrain
What to do if you feel unsafe or need to dismount
Written acknowledgment of the briefing and the § 773 notice

H.8 Incident reporting

Report incidents involving injury beyond first aid, death, or property damage over $2,000 to the appropriate authority and notify Platform within 24 hours.

G. Updates

This Handbook may be updated by Platform on 30 days' notice (which may be by email). Operators are responsible for reviewing updates.

For questions, contact Platform at the email on Exhibit A.