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

All vessels must be equipped with U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jackets called personal flotation devices or PFDs. The quantity and type depends on the length of your vessel and the number of people onboard and/or being towed. Each PFD must be in good condition, the proper size for the intended wearer, and very importantly, must 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, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them.

Vessel operators should have everyone on their vessel to wear a PFD (life jacket) whenever on the water. PFDs can save lives, but only if they are worn!

Inflatable PFDs USCG-approved inflatable PFDs are rated as Types I, II, III, or V, and are more comfortable and less bulky to wear than traditional PFDs. Some models automatically inflate when submersed in water, while all models can be manually or orally inflated. Read the approval label for age and use restrictions, and learn how to check, inflate, and care for an inflatable PFD. Inflatable PFDs may not be used by children or by persons riding on or operating a PWC, towed behind a vessel, or boating on rivers.

PFD Requirements

• All vessels must have at least one USCG-approved Type I, II, III or V PFD (life jacket) for each person onboard.
• One Type IV (throwable) USCG-approved PFD must be onboard vessels 16 feet or longer, in addition to the above requirement. Type IV must be immediately available.Immediately available means the PFD must be quickly reachable in an emergency situation.
• All PFDs must be clearly marked with the USCG approval number, in good and serviceable condition, and readily accessible. The PFDs must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.
• Children 12 years old and younger must wear a USCG-approved PFD while onboard any vessel. The only exception is if the child is within the enclosed cabin area of a vessel at least 19 feet in length.
• Each person onboard a PWC and each person being towed behind a vessel on water-skis or other devices must wear a USCG-approved PFD.
• Each person onboard a vessel operating on Utah’s rivers must wear a USCG-approved PFD. Persons older than 12 years of age may loosen or remove their PFDs while on designated flat water areas.
• Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by persons on PWC, persons being towed behind vessels, children, or persons boating on rivers.

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.