It's the Law: Required Equipment for Your Vessel
When preparing to go out on a vessel, first check that the legally
required equipment is on board.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
- All vessels must have at least one USCG–approved Type
I, II, III, or V PFD (life jacket) for each person on board.
- One Type IV (throwable) USCG–approved PFD must be on
board vessels 16 feet or longer, in addition to the above requirement.
- Children under 12 years old must wear a USCG–approved
Type I, II, III, or V PFD whenever above deck on any vessel underway.
- All persons on board a personal watercraft (PWC) must wear
a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD at all times.
- All persons water-skiing or being towed in any manner must
wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFD at all times.
- All persons on board a canoe or kayak from September 15 to
May 15 must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFD
at all times.
- All life jackets (PFDs) must be:
- U.S. Coast Guard–approved, which
means clearly marked with the USCG approval number
- In good and serviceable condition
- Readily accessible, which means you are
able to put the life jacket on quickly in an emergency
- Of the proper size for the intended wearer;
sizing for life jackets is based on body weight and chest
size.
Pictures
of PFDs |
Descriptions
of PFDs |
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TYPE I: Offshore
Life Jacket
These vests are geared for rough or remote waters where rescue
may take awhile. They 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 and fast rescues. Type
II vests may lack the capacity to turn unconscious wearers
face up. |
|
TYPE III: Flotation
Aid
These vests or full-sleeved jackets are good for calm waters
and fast rescues. They are not for rough waters since they
will not turn a person face up. |
|
TYPE IV: Throwable
Device
These cushions or ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone
in trouble. They are not for long hours in rough waters, non-swimmers
or the unconscious. |
|
TYPE V: Special
Use Device
These windsurfing vests, deck suits, hybrid PFDs and others
are designed for specific activities, such as kayaking or water
skiing. To be acceptable, Type V PFDs must be used in accordance
with their label. |
Boat Smart—Wear Your PFD
 Approximately
90% of all boating fatalities involve drownings caused by boating
accidents. Most drowning victims are not wearing a PFD or are wearing
an inadequate one. That is why it is critical that you have a U.S.
Coast Guard–approved PFD for each person on board.
- PFDs must be readily accessible. Better yet, each person should
wear a PFD because PFDs are difficult to put on once you are
in the water. In most fatal accidents, the proper PFDs are on
board but are not in use or are not easily within reach. If you
are in the water without a PFD, retrieve a floating PFD and hold
it to your chest by wrapping your arms around it.
- PFDs must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Always
read the label of the PFD to make sure it is the right size based
on the person's weight and chest size. It's especially important
to check that a child's PFD fits snugly. Test the fit by picking
the child up by the shoulders of the PFD and checking that his
or her chin and ears do not slip through.
- PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition. Regularly test
a PFD's buoyancy in shallow water or a swimming pool. Remember
that over time, the ultraviolet radiation from the sun will break
down the synthetic materials used to make your PFD.
- Frequently inspect personal flotation devices for rips
or tears, discolored or weakened material, insecure straps
or zippers or labels that are no longer readable. Discard
and replace any PFD that has a problem.
- If using an inflatable PFD, before each outing check the
status of the inflator and that the CO₂ cylinder has not been
used, has no leaks and is tightly screwed in. Also check that
the PFD itself has no leaks by removing the CO₂ cylinder
and orally inflating the PFD. The PFD should still be firm after
several hours. After an inflatable PFD has been inflated using
the CO₂ cylinder, replace the spent cylinder and re-arm
it. Because an inflatable PFD is a mechanical device, it requires
regular maintenance. Inspect and maintain the inflatable portion
of the PFD as instructed in the owner’s manual.
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