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

An emergency
situation (rough water,
rapid onset of bad weather, or dangerous boating traffic) can occur suddenly—leaving little or no time to put on life jackets. Life jackets are very difficult to put on once you are in the water. Be a smart boater, and have everyone on board your vessel wear their life jackets at all times

All vessels must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets, called personal flotation devices (PFDs). The quantity and type depend on the length of your vessel and the number of people on board and/or being towed. Each PFD must be in good condition, be the proper size for the intended wearer, and very importantly, 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 or in locked or closed compartments, and they should not have other gear stowed on top of them.

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

PFD Requirements

Inflatable PFDs are a great new choice but are not recommended for all conditions. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s label.

A Type V PFD may be substituted for any other type if it is specifically approved by the USCG for the activity at hand and is being worn.

All recreational vessels must have at least one Type I, II, or III personal flotation device (life jacket) that is U.S. Coast Guard–approved and of the proper size for each person on board or being towed. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.
In addition to the requirements for life jackets, vessels 16 feet in length or longer (except canoes and kayaks of any length) must have one U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type IV PFD on board and readily accessible.
Children 14 years of age or younger, on board vessels 19 feet or less, must wear an approved life jacket when the vessel is underway.
Seaplanes, sailboards, and certain racing vessels are exempt from the above PFD requirements. Fly-fishing float tubes do not require PFDs on lakes with less than 200 surface acres. Fly-fishing pontoons do require PFDs on all Idaho waters.
Each person riding on a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device.
Each person being towed behind a vessel must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved personal flotation device.
All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition, the correct size for the intended wearer, readily accessible, and labeled “U.S. Coast Guard-approved.”

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.