NEW MEXICO: Children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket unless they are in a cabin while the boat is en route. All boaters in kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, inflatables and personal watercraft must also carry one. Fines can range from $50 to $500. There may also be prison sentences. This rule does not modify or replace existing law in states that have lifejacket laws, it only applies to states that do not have laws. Please see the following list for the latest laws in your state. Almost all states require you to use a Coast Guard approved PFD. Not all, but almost all. However, federal law requires that they be re-approved by the Coast Guard.
Flotation equipment that is not approved by the Coast Guard is not always reliable. Especially inflatables, which are often not much better than toys. Inflatable life jackets are not always reliable. Choose only a reliable inflatable life jacket. If you want to take water safety seriously, make sure you carry a USCG-approved PFD. Most boating-related drownings occur because people simply weren`t wearing life jackets. Follow lifejacket laws and wear a lifejacket when your boat is on its way. MARYLAND: Those who use watercraft and water skiers must wear PFDs.
Children under the age of 13 must also wear them when a ship is en route. Fines may vary. Remember: it is illegal to use your lifejacket in any other way than recommended by the manufacturer. This means that you should never use your lifejacket as a boat bumper or seat cushion. We believe that everyone should wear a life jacket when a boat is underway. The number of drownings due to boat accidents is still far too high. MINNESOTA: All children under the age of 10 must wear a PFD while the vessel is en route. Keep in mind that federal law states that age is 13, not 10. People on PWC too. Fines can be up to $1,000 and include jail time. SOUTH DAKOTA: Children under 7 years of age must wear a PFD at all times when working at „slow, unawake” speeds, unless they are in an enclosed cabin or below deck.
Those who use PWC must also wear them. Fines can be as high as $100, but a period in the county jail is also possible. Federal law states that the age is 13, so you can check locally if the age limit of 7 years is correct or if federal regulations apply. This vest is best worn in calm waters when sailing close to shore. There is a wide range of sizes for type II vests. In addition, inflatable vests of this type are designed to turn the unconscious wearer face up in the water. The Act does not apply in the following circumstances: By now, we should all know how important it is to wear a personal floating device when boating. But no matter how long they have been available, there are still many boaters who do not use these rescue tools.
Almost half of boaters in the UK do not wear a life jacket. In the United States, 80% of those drowned were not wearing a life jacket. Wearing it is not only a good idea, but necessary in many situations. That said, the rules can change from state to state, which can make things confusing. ARKANSAS: Anyone under the age of 12 must wear a life jacket. The only time this is not the case is when they are locked in an enclosed cabin or by railings on a boat that is not en route. Water skiers and cyclists must also wear them. It can`t be stressed enough – lifejackets are important lifejackets that you should wear at all times while navigating or near water.
What for? Because more than 90% of all people who drown while sailing were NOT wearing a life jacket. Fortunately, the Coast Guard approved life jackets today come in a variety of comfortable and aesthetically pleasing styles! So WEAR IT! This is the most floating vest you can wear. Type I vests are designed to turn an unconscious wearer face up in water. This is the vest you should wear in harsh water conditions, when sailing away from shore and in situations where rescue may not be possible immediately. These vests are often worn during water activities and are available in many colors, styles and sizes. They should be used when boating on calm inland waters. Keep in mind that conditions on the water can change very quickly and PFDs take time to attract them, even when they are there. Often, you don`t have time to create a PFD in an emergency. PFDs are also much harder to attract when in the water.
Here are some other important rules to keep in mind when it comes to PFDs. ALASKA: Anyone 13 years of age or younger must wear a life jacket in Alaska. This is when you are on the open deck, traveling or being towed. Violations are punishable by a variety of fines, starting at $100. Additional fines will be imposed for each violation. PUERTO RICO: Children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket when a ship is en route. Personal watercraft operators must also wear them. NEW HAMPSHIRE: Children under the age of 12 must wear a life jacket when the ship is en route. Those who are on PWC or towed need it too.
Fines up to $60. COLORADO: Children 12 and under must wear a PFD when their boat is on the water. The exception is if they are in an enclosed cabin or below deck. Also personal watercraft operators and passengers. Water skiers and people on aquaplanes, surfboards and similar equipment, when pulled behind a boat, must carry some kind of swimming ability. This does not necessarily have to be approved by the USCG. Expect fines of $50 or more for violations. Children under 6 years of age must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD approved by the USCG while on board a vessel less than 26 feet in length while the vessel is en route. „En route” is defined as at any time, except when the ship is anchored, moored, quickly brought ashore or grounded. INDIANA: Children under the age of 13 must wear life jackets when operating a boat.