It's the Law: Required Equipment

When preparing to go out on a vessel, the operator must check that the legally required equipment is on board.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

• All vessels must carry one wearable (Type I, II, III, or V) U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD for each person on board.
• In addition to the above requirement, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one Type IV U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD on board and readily accessible.

• Children under 13 years of age must wear an approved PFD whenever underway on a vessel less than 26 feet in length.
• Each person on a personal watercraft or sailboard must wear an approved PFD.
• Anyone being towed on water skis or similar devices must wear an approved PFD. Ski belts are not approved PFDs.
• Besides being USCG-approved, all PFDs must be:
  • In good and serviceable condition.
  • Readily accessible. Readily accessible means you must be able to put the PFD on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency. PFDs should not be stowed in plastic bags or in locked compartments, and they should not have other gear stowed on top of them.
  • 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)

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.