Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Arkansas Required Equipment Checklist

indicates the equipment is required by state law.

Required Equipment	PWC	Boat Less than 16'	Boat 16' to Less than 26'
Boater Education Certificate On Board
A valid boater education certificate is required for persons who operate vessels propelled by engine or sail and who were born on or after January 1, 1986.
Certificate of Number on Board
Validation Decals Displayed
PFDs: Type I, II, III or V (one per person)
Everyone on board personal watercraft (PWCs) must wear an approved personal flotation device (life jacket) at all times. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear an approved life jacket while underway in any open area of any vessel.
PFD: Type IV	n/a	n/a
Ignition Safety Switch		Required when operating a motorboat.	Required when operating a motorboat.
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.
Backfire Flame Arrestor	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.	Required on inboards and stern drives and when boating on federally controlled waters.	Required on inboards and stern drives and when boating on federally controlled waters.
Ventilation System
Horn, Whistle, or Bell	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	n/a	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals	Certain items are not applicable to PWCs because PWCs are not allowed to operate at night.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters.
Navigation Lights	Certain items are not applicable to PWCs because PWCs are not allowed to operate at night.