Life Jacket Carriage Requirements
The Federal rules regarding life jacket carriage and wearing requirements for recreational vessels are spelled out in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). 33 CFR PART 175 - EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS indicates that the rules apply to the vessel and all persons onboard. These rules DO NOT apply to persons outside the vessel or participating in towed watersports. The states are responsible for creating life jacket rules for people outside the vessel or participating in towed watersports. It is the vessel operator's responsibility to know what boating rules apply in the area in which they are operating.
Federal Rules
With few exceptions 33 CFR PART 175 - EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS prescribes rules governing the use of boats on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and on the high seas beyond the territorial seas for boats owned in the United States.
33 CFR § 175.15 Personal flotation devices required.
Except as provided in §§ 175.17 and 175.25:
No person may use a recreational vessel unless:
-
- At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person;
- Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and
- Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.
No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is onboard in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in paragraph (a) of this section.
No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either:
-
- Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or
- Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.