It's the Law: Delaware Boating
Regulations
Part C - Minimum Required
Equipment for Recreational-Type
Vessels
Section 1. Personal Flotation
Devices.
(a) Except as provided in
Section 2 of this part, no
person may use a recreational
vessel unless at least one
PFD of the following types
is on board for each person:
- Type I PFD;
- Type II PFD; or
- Type III PFD.
(b) No person may use a recreational
vessel 16 feet or more in length
unless one Type IV PFD is on
board in addition to the total
number of PFD’s required
in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) A Type V PFD may be carried
in lieu of any PFD required
under subsections (a) and (b)
of this section, provided:
- The approval label on
the Type V PFD indicates
that the device is approved:
(a) For the activity in
which the vessel is being
used; or
(b) As a substitute for a PFD of the
Type required in the vessel in use;
- The PFD is used in accordance
with any requirements on
the approval label; and
- The PFD is used in accordance
with requirements in its
owner's manual, if the approval
label makes reference to
such a manual.
(d) A Type V hybrid PFD may
satisfy the carriage requirements
provided it is worn except
when the vessel is not underway
or when the user is below deck.
Section 2. Exceptions.
(a) Canoes and kayaks 16 feet
in length and over are exempted
from the requirements for carriage
of the additional Type IV PFD
required under Section 1(b)
of this part.
(b) Racing shells, rowing
sculls, racing canoes and racing
kayaks are exempted from the
requirements for carriage of
any Type PFD required under
Section 1 of this part.
(c) Sailboards are exempted
from the requirements for carriage
of any Type PFD required under
Section 1 of this part.
Section 3. Stowage, Condition,
and Marking of PFDs.
(a) No person may use a recreational
vessel unless each Type I,
II, or III PFD required by
Section 1(a) of this part,
or equivalent Type allowed
by Section 1(c) of this part,
is readily accessible.
(b) No person may use a recreational
vessel unless each Type IV
PFD required by Section 1(b)
of this part, or equivalent
Type allowed by Section 1(c)
of this part, is immediately
available.
(c) No person may use a recreational
vessel unless each PFD required
by Section 2(c) of this part
or allowed by Section 1(b)
of this part is:
- In serviceable condition,
as defined by 33 CFR § 175.23;
- Of an appropriate size
and fit for the intended
wearer, as marked on the
approval label; and
- Legibly marked with its
Coast Guard approval number,
as specified in 46 CFR Part
160.
| Types of
Personal Flotation Devices |
Illustrations |
TYPE I: Offshore
Life Jacket
These vests are geared for rough or remote waters where rescue may take awhile. They provide the most buoyancy, are excellent for flotation, and will turn most unconscious persons face up in the water.
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TYPE II: Near-Shore
Vest
These vests are good for calm waters when quick rescue is likely. A Type II may not turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water. |
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TYPE III: Flotation
Aid
These vests or full-sleeved jackets are good for calm waters when quick rescue is likely. They are not recommended for rough waters since they will not turn most unconscious persons face up. |
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TYPE IV:
Throwable Device
These cushions and ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. Since a Type IV is not designed to be worn, it is neither for rough waters nor for persons who are unable to hold onto it. |
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TYPE V: Special
Use Device
These vests, deck suits, hybrid PFDs, and others are designed for specific activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, or water-skiing. To be acceptable, Type V PFDs must be used in accordance with their label. |
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