Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
North Carolina Required Equipment Checklist

indicates the equipment is required by state law.

Required Equipment	PWC	Boat Less than 16'	Boat 16' to Less Than 26'
Boating Education Certification Card on Board (Applicable for PWCs if operator is 14 or 15 years old)	1
Validation Decal Displayed
PFDs: Type I, II, or III (one per person)	2	3	3
1) Applicable if operator is 14 or 15 years old. 2) Those on PWCs must wear a personal flotation device at all times. Inflatable PFDs are not allowed on PWCs. 3) Those under age 13 must wear a personal flotation device when underway on a vessel.
PFD: Type IV	n/a	n/a
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher
Backfire Flame Arrestor		Required on inboard and stern drives only.	Required on inboard and stern drives only.
Ventilation System
Muffler
Horn, Whistle, or Bell
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	n/a	Required only when boating on federally controlled waters.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	6	6
6) Required only when boating on federally controlled waters between sunset and sunrise.
Navigation Lights	n/a	7	7
7) Unpowered vessels (sailboats under sail, rowboats, etc.) are required only to have on hand a flashlight or lantern.

Note: Some items are not applicable to PWCs since PWCs are not allowed to operate between sunset and sunrise.