Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Indiana 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: Required for operators who do not have a vehicle driver’s license when operating motorboats or PWCs.
Certificate of Registration on Board
Excise Tax Decals Displayed
PFDs: Type I, II, III or V (one per person)	Those on PWCs must wear a PFD at all times.
PFD: Type IV	n/a	n/a
Type IV PFD: Canoes and kayaks are excepted.
Ignition Safety Switch		n/a	n/a
PWCs must either be equipped with an ignition safety switch or have a self-circling feature. If equipped with an ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.
Backfire Flame Arrestor		Required on gasoline-powered inboards and stern drives only.	Required on gasoline-powered inboards and stern drives only.
Ventilation System
Muffler
Horn, Whistle, or Bell	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	n/a	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals	It is strongly recommended that PWCs be operated during daylight hours only. However, if operated at night, a PWC has the same requirements for visual distress signals and navigation lights as boats less than 16 ft. in length.	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.	Required when boating on Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction.
Navigation Lights	It is strongly recommended that PWCs be operated during daylight hours only. However, if operated at night, a PWC has the same requirements for visual distress signals and navigation lights as boats less than 16 ft. in length.