Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Wisconsin Required Equipment Checklist

Required Equipment	PWC	Boat Less than 16'	Boat 16' to Less Than 26'
Certificate of Number On Board
Validation Decals Displayed
Boating Safety Course Certificate
Boating Safety Course Certificate: Required for some operators of motorized vessels and personal watercraft.
PFDs: Type I, II, III or V (one per person)
PFDs: Every person on board a personal watercraft (PWC) must wear a PFD (life jacket) at all times. Children under 13 years old must wear a USCG-approved PFD whenever underway in an open vessel on federally controlled waters.
PFD: Type IV (one per vessel)	n/a	n/a
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher
Backfire Flame Arrestor		Required on inboard and stern drives only.	Required on inboard and stern drives only.
Ventilation System
Muffler
Horn, Whistle or Bell	Required
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	n/a	Required only if operating on federally controlled waters.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals	Some items are not applicable to PWCs since it is illegal to operate PWCs between sunset and sunrise.	Required only if operating on federally controlled waters.	Required only if operating on federally controlled waters.
Navigation Lights	Some items are not applicable to PWCs since it is illegal to operate PWCs between sunset and sunrise.