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Adventures in Boating - Washington Handbook Washington State Parks & Recreation

Washington Required Equipment Checklist

Checkmark: required indicates the equipment is required by state law.
no = not required by state
n/a= not applicable

Required Equipment

PWCs

 Boats Less Than 16'
Class A		 Boats 16' to Less Than 26'
Class 1		 Boats 26' to Less Than 40'
Class 2		 Boats 40' to Less Than 65'
Class 3 		Human Powered: Any Length
Vessel Registration on Board

Checkmark: required

Checkmark: required 6

 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required

no

(6) Applies to all power-driven boats on federally controlled waters and sailboats 16 feet and longer on any waters of the state. Does not apply to boats under 16 feet long with motors of 10 hp or less when used on waters under state jurisdiction only.
Validation Decals Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 6 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
(6) Applies to all power-driven boats on federally controlled waters and sailboats 16 feet and longer on any waters of the state. Does not apply to boats under 16 feet long with motors of 10 hp or less when used on waters under state jurisdiction only.
Registration Numbers Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 6 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 7 Checkmark: required 7 no
(6) Applies to all power-driven boats on federally controlled waters and sailboats 16 feet and longer on any waters of the state. Does not apply to boats under 16 feet long with motors of 10 hp or less when used on waters under state jurisdiction only. (7) State registration numbers are not displayed on boats documented with USCG under the Federal Registration System, but display of valid registration decals is required.
Boater Education Card
(power-driven boats over 15 hp) 		Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required

Checkmark: required

Checkmark: required

no
See Operator Age and Boater Education Requirements for more information.
PFDs: Type I, II, III, or V
(one per person)		 Checkmark: required1 Checkmark: required 2 Checkmark: required 2 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required
(1) Those on personal watercraft must wear a life jacket (personal flotation device) at all times.
(2) Children 12 years and younger are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard– approved life jackets in Washington State on boats shorter than 19 feet whenever the vessel is underway or when they’re on an open deck or open cockpit on any waters of the state.
PFD: Type IV no no Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher
(power-driven boats only) 		Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 8 Checkmark: required 8 no
(8) Boats 26 feet up to 40 feet long must carry two B-I or one B-II; boats 40 feet up to 65 feet long must carry three B-I or one B-II and one B-I.
Ignition Safety Switch Checkmark: required no no no no no
Backfire Flame Arrestor Checkmark: required3

Checkmark: required3

 Checkmark: required3 Checkmark: required3 Checkmark: required3

no
(3) Backfire Flame Arrestor required on all gasoline engines except outboard engines.
Ventilation System Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
Muffler Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
Horn, Whistle, or Bell Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required
Skier-Down Flag Checkmark: required4 Checkmark: required4 Checkmark: required4 Checkmark: required4 Checkmark: required4 no
(4) Skier-Down Flag required to be carried on board when towing person(s) on water skis or similar devices and displayed whenever the towed person(s) is preparing to ski or has fallen into the water.
Daytime Visual Distress Signals
(coastal waters only)		 no Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required

Required on boats 16 feet and over.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals n/a Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required
Navigation Lights n/a Checkmark: required5 Checkmark: required5 Checkmark: required5 Checkmark: required5 At least one lantern or flashlight.
(5) Vessels without proper navigation lights may not operate between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
CO Warning Sticker

no

 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
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Washington Parks
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It's the Law!
Required Equipment
Washington State Info

Washington boating handbook
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Online boating safety handbook last modified: June 16, 2008
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