| Required Equipment |
PWC |
Boat Less than
16' |
Boat 16'
to Less than 26' |
| Boater Education Certification Card and Photographic Identification |
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| Boater Education Certification Card: Applicable if operator was born after August 31, 1984. |
| Certificate of Number on Board |
 |
 |
 |
| Validation Decals Displayed |
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 |
 |
PFDs: Type I, II, III, or V
(one per person) |
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 |
 |
| Those on personal watercraft (PWCs) must wear a personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) at all times. Those under the age of 13 must wear a personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) while underway at all times. |
PFD: Type IV
(one per boat) |
n/a |
n/a |
 |
| Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher |
 |
 |
 |
| Ignition Safety Switch |
 |
n/a |
n/a |
| Backfire Flame Arrestor |
 |
 |
 |
| Backfire Flame Arrestor: Required on boats with inboard engines. |
| Ventilation System |
 |
 |
 |
| Muffler |
 |
 |
 |
| Horn,
Whistle, or Bell |
 |
 |
 |
| Daytime Visual Distress Signals |
n/a |
n/a |
Required when boating on federally controlled waters. |
| Nighttime Visual Distress Signals |
Certain items are not applicable to PWCs because they are not allowed to operate between sunset and sunrise. |
Required when boating on federally controlled waters |
Required when boating on federally controlled waters |
| Navigation Lights |
Certain items are not applicable to PWCs because they are not allowed to operate between sunset and sunrise. |
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