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Washington Required Equipment Checklist

Checkmark: required

indicates the equipment is required by state law.

n/a

not applicable

no

not required by state

Required Equipment

PWCs

 Boats Less Than 16'
Class A		 Boats 16' to Less Than 26'
Class 1		 Boats 26' to Less Than 40'
Class 2		 Boats 40' to Less Than 65'
Class 3 		Human Powered: Any Length
Vessel Registration On Board

Checkmark: required

Checkmark: required6

 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required

no

(6) Applies to all power-driven boats on federally controlled waters and sailboats 16 feet and longer on any waters of the state. Does not apply to boats under 16 feet long with motors of 10 hp or less when used on waters under state jurisdiction only.
Validation Decals Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 6 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
(6) Applies to all power-driven boats on federally controlled waters and sailboats 16 feet and longer on any waters of the state. Does not apply to boats under 16 feet long with motors of 10 hp or less when used on waters under state jurisdiction only.
Registration Numbers Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 6 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 7 Checkmark: required 7 no
(6) Applies to all power-driven boats on federally controlled waters and sailboats 16 feet and longer on any waters of the state. Does not apply to boats under 16 feet long with motors of 10 hp or less when used on waters under state jurisdiction only. (7) State registration numbers are not displayed on boats documented with USCG under the Federal Registration System, but display of valid registration decals is required.
Boater Education Card (power-driven boats only) Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
See Who May Operate a Vessel for boater education card requirements.
PFDs: Type I, II, III, or V
(one per person)		 Checkmark: required 1 Checkmark: required 2 Checkmark: required 2 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required
(1) Those on personal watercraft must wear a life jacket (personal flotation device) at all times. (2) Children 12 years and younger are required to wear U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets in Washington State on boats shorter than 19 feet whenever the vessel is underway or when they’re on an open deck or open cockpit on any waters of the state.
PFD: Type IV no no Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher
(power-driven boats only) 		Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required 8 Checkmark: required 8 no
(8) Boats 26 feet up to 40 feet long must carry two B-I or one B-II; boats 40 feet up to 65 feet long must carry three B-I or one B-II and one B-I.
Ignition Safety Switch Checkmark: required no no no no no
Backfire Flame Arrestor Checkmark: required

Checkmark: required

 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required

no
Backfire Flame Arrestor required on all gasoline engines except outboard engines.
Ventilation System Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
Muffler Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
Horn, Whistle, or Bell Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required
Skier-Down Flag Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
Skier-Down Flag is required to be carried on board and displayed when towing person(s) on water skis or similar devices and displayed whenever the towed person(s) is preparing to ski or has fallen into the water.
Daytime Visual Distress Signals
(coastal waters only)		 no Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required

Required on boats 16 feet and over
VDs are required only on coastal waters.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals n/a Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required
Navigation Lights n/a Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required At least one lantern or flashlight
Vessels without proper navigation lights may not operate between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
CO Warning Sticker

no

 Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required Checkmark: required no
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Online boating license and certification course last modified: August 3, 2009
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