| Required Equipment |
PWC |
Boat Less than 16' |
Boat 16' to Less than 26' |
| Boater Education Certificate On Board |
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| A valid boater education certificate 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 |
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| Validation
Decals Displayed |
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| PFDs: Type I, II, III or
V (one per person) |
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| Everyone on 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 |
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| Ignition
Safety Switch |
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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 |
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| 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. |
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