It's the Law: Required Equipment

When preparing to go out on a vessel, 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).

Life Jackets; also known as Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

All recreational vessels must have at least one Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (life jacket) that is U.S. Coast Guard–approved and of the proper size for each person on board.
In addition to the above requirement, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one Type IV (throwable) USCG–approved personal flotation device 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. (“Underway” means any time except when the vessel is anchored, moored, docked, or aground.)

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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 of age who is on an underway recreational vessel must wear an appropriate USCG–approved PFD unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Each person on board a personal watercraft (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.
Besides being labeled “U.S. Coast Guard approved,” all PFDs must be:
- In good and serviceable condition.
- Readily accessible, which means you are able to put the PFD on quickly in an emergency.
- Of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size

Types of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

Pictures of PFDs	Descriptions of PFDs
	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 rescue is likely. A Type II may not turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water.
	TYPE III: Flotation Aids 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.
	TYPE IV: Throwable Devices 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.
	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. To be acceptable, Type V PFDs must be used in accordance with their label.