| Required Equipment |
Boats Less than 16' & PWC Class A |
Boat 16' or Longer Class 1 |
Class 2 Boats |
Class 3 Boats |
Non-Motorized |
| Vessel Registration on Board |
 1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
n/a |
| 1. Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard are exempt from Massachusetts registration and
titling requirements. |
| Validation Decal Displayed |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
n/a |
| Registration Numbers |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
n/a |
| Boating Safety Certificate |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
n/a |
| 2. Required if operator is 12 through 15 years of age. Required for PWC operators 16 or 17 years of
age. Those under 16 years of age cannot operate a PWC in Massachusetts. |
| PFDs: Type I, II, or
III (one per person) |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
| 3. Those on personal watercraft must wear a life jacket (personal flotation device) at all times.
Children under 12 years of age are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets in
Massachusetts State above deck on any vessel that is underway. Type V PFD use authorized for
those on PWCs and children less than 12 years of age. |
| 10. All persons on board a canoe or kayak from September 15 to May 15 must wear a
USCG–approved Type I, II, or III PFD at all times. |
| PFD: Type IV |
9 |
|
|
|
|
| 9. PWCs are exempt. Vessels less than 16ft. must also carry a paddle or oar. |
| Fire Extinguisher(s) |
(1)B1 |
(1)B1 |
(2)B1or (1)B2 |
(3)B1 |
n/a |
| 4. A fixed extinguishing system in machinery space can be substituted for (1)B1. (1)B2 can replace
(2)B1 extinguishers. Outboard motorboats less than 26’, of open construction, not carrying
passengers for hire, are not required to carry fire extinguishers. |
| Backfire Flame Arrestor |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
| 5. Required on all gasoline engines except outboard engines. |
| Ventilation
System |
|
|
|
|
|
| Muffler |
|
|
|
|
|
| Horn, Whistle or Bell |
|
|
6 |
6 |
13 |
6. Vessels 26 feet up to 65 feet are required to carry on board a whistle or horn, and a bell. |
| 13. Applies to MA coastal waters only. |
| Daytime Visual
Distress Signals |
|
|
|
|
|
| Nighttime Visual
Distress Signals |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
| 7. VDSs are required only on coastal waters. Massachusetts coastal waters are defined as any Massachusetts waters that are subject
to the rise and fall of the tide out to three
nautical miles from any Massachusetts land
point and including all of Massachusetts Bay,
Vineyard Sound, and Nantucket Sound |
| Navigation Lights |
12 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
13, 14 |
| 8. Vessels without proper navigation lights may not operate between the hours of sunset and sunrise. |
| 12. PWCs may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. PWCs may not be used to tow anyone. |
| 13. Applies to MA coastal waters only. |
| 14. At least one lantern or flashlight. |
| Anchor, Line, and Manual Bailer |
9 |
|
|
|
|
| 9. PWCs are exempt. Vessels less than 16ft. must also carry a paddle or oar. |
| Boarding Ladder |
9 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
n/a |
| 11. Ladder, steps, platform, or similar device is required if towing a person on skis or other device. |
