Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Life Jackets (Personal Flotation Devices)

All vessels must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets called personal flotation devices (PFDs). The quantity and type depends on the length of your vessel and the number of people on board and/or being towed. Each PFD must be in good condition, be the proper size for the intended wearer, and very importantly, be readily accessible! Readily accessible means you must be able to put the PFD on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.). PFDs should not be stowed in plastic bags or in locked or closed compartments, and they should not have other gear stowed on top of them. Vessel operators should ask everyone on their vessel to wear a PFD whenever on the water. PFDs can save lives, but only if they are worn!

An emergency situation (rough water, rapid onset of bad weather, or dangerous boating traffic) can occur suddenly—leaving little or no time to put on life jackets. Life jackets are very difficult to put on once you are in the water. Be a smart boater, and have everyone on board your vessel wear their life jackets at all times.

PFD Requirements

• All vessels must carry one Type I, II, III, or V USCG-approved PFD for each person on board.
• All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition, and legibly marked showing the USCG approval number. The PFDs must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.
• In addition to the above requirements, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one Type IV USCG-approved PFD on board and immediately available.
• Children under 6 years of age must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III PFD at all times while on any vessel less than 26 feet in length that is underway upon Florida waters.
• Each person on board a PWC, and anyone being towed behind a vessel, must wear a USCG-approved PFD. Inflatable PFDs are not to be worn on PWCs or while water-skiing.

www.WearItFlorida.com

Buy a comfortable life jacket and WEAR IT, even if you are not required by law to do so! Most people who die in boating accidents drown, and many of them could swim. Never depend upon your swimming ability to keep you safe in a boating emergency.

Inflatable Life Jackets

Even though they have been available for years, many people are still unfamiliar with inflatable life jackets. For persons who want an alternative to traditional hot, bulky, and uncomfortable life jackets, these PFDs offer a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket in a small lightweight package.

• Inflatable life jackets come in several styles and colors.
  • Styles include a PFD that looks like a pair of suspenders and belt packs that look like a small fanny pack.
  • Some of these PFDs are designed to inflate if the wearer falls into the water.
• The most important advantage of inflatable life jackets is that they are comfortable enough for boaters to wear all the time on the water.
• Inflatable life jackets; generally are not approved for use by people under the age of 16.
• Inflatable PFDs are not to be worn on PWCs or while water-skiing.
• Many inflatable PFDs are required to be worn instead of just carried in a bag or stowed in a storage area.
• They require some periodic maintenance and cost a little more than traditional life jackets; however, if it will save your life, it's worth every penny.
• You should read and understand the operating instructions and the approval label before you choose an inflatable life jacket. Then be sure to wear it!

Federal PFD Requirement for Children

• Vessels operating on waters outside the geographical boundaries of Florida (three miles or the edge of the Gulf Stream, whichever is greater, off the Atlantic coast or nine miles off the Gulf of Mexico coast) are subject to the new federal PFD regulation for children.
• On these waters, each child under 13 years old who is underway on a recreational vessel must wear an appropriate USCG-approved PFD unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

Remember ... The owner and/or operator of a vessel is responsible for carrying, storing, maintaining, and using the safety equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

Read and follow the label restrictions on all PFDs.

PFD Descriptions	Illustrations
TYPE I: Offshore Life Jackets 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.
TYPE II: Near-Shore Vests These vests are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. Type II vests will turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as with a Type I.
TYPE III: Flotation Aids These vests or full-sleeved jackets are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. They are not recommended for rough waters since they will not turn most unconscious persons face up. Type III PFDs are used for water sports such as water-skiing. Some Type III PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water.
TYPE IV: Throwable Devices/Not Wearable These cushions and ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. Since a Type IV PFD is not designed to be worn, it is neither for rough waters nor for persons who are unable to hold onto it.
TYPE V: Special-Use Devices These vests, deck suits, hybrid PFDs, and others are designed for specific activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, or water-skiing. Some Type V PFDs are designed to inflate when you enter the water. To be acceptable, Type V PFDs must be worn and used in accordance with their label.