| Required Equipment |
PWC |
Boat Less than 16' |
Boat 16' to Less than 26' |
| Certificate of Number on Board |
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| Validation Decals Displayed |
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| PFDs: Type I, II, or III (one per person) |
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| Every person on board a PWC must wear a PFD (life jacket) at all times.
Children under 12 years old must wear a USCG-approved PFD whenever underway in a vessel, unless in a fully enclosed area. |
| PFD: Type IV |
n/a |
n/a |
 |
| Vessels 16 feet up to 40 feet long must have on board one Type IV PFD. Vessels 40 feet or longer must carry two Type IV PFDs, with one in the fron of the vessel and the other in the rear. Vessels 26 feet or longer must have 30 feet of throwing line (or rope) attached to the Type IV PFD. |
| Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher |
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| Backfire Flame Arrestor |
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Required on inboard and stern drives only. |
Required on inboard and stern drives only. |
| Ventilation
System |
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| Muffler |
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| Horn,
Whistle, or Bell |
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| Daytime Visual Distress Signals |
n/a |
n/a |
Required only if operating on waters under USCG jurisdiction. |
| Nighttime Visual Distress Signals |
Required only if operating on waters under USCG jurisdiction. |
Required only if operating on waters under USCG jurisdiction. |
Required only if operating on waters under USCG jurisdiction. |
| Navigation Lights |
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