Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Vermont 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 Safety Education Certificate on Board
Boating Safety Education Certificate: Applicable if operator was born after January 1, 1974.
Certificate of Registration on Board
Validation Stickers Displayed
PFDs: Type I, II, III, or V (one per person)
Those on PWCs must wear a personal flotation device (life jacket) at all times. Those under the age of 12 must wear a PFD while underway on an open deck.
PFD: Type IV	n/a	n/a
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher
Ignition Safety Switch		n/a	n/a
Backfire Flame Arrestor
Backfire Flame Arrestor: Required on inboard engines.
Ventilation System
Muffler
Horn, Whistle, or Bell
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	n/a	Required when boating on federally controlled waters. Note: Although Lakes Champlain & Memphremagog are under federal control, VDSs are not required on these waters.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals	Certain items are not applicable to PWCs because PWCs are not allowed to operate between sunset and sunrise.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters. Note: Although Lakes Champlain & Memphremagog are under federal control, VDSs are not required on these waters.	Required when boating on federally controlled waters. Note: Although Lakes Champlain & Memphremagog are under federal control, VDSs are not required on these waters.
Navigation Lights	Certain items are not applicable to PWCs because PWCs are not allowed to operate between sunset and sunrise.