This report highlights trends from February 2019 to May 2025
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) required onboard
Yes
No
PFD type
Wearable PFD
PFD wear required
Yes
No
*
Large boats (16 feet or more) require at least one throwable Type IV PFD onboard
Yes
No
PFD wear required for personal watercraft
Yes
No
PFD wear required for towed watersports
Yes
No
PFD requirement for children
Yes
No
Age for mandatory PFD wear
Under 7 years
PFD type
U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD
When should child wear PFD
Vessel is underway, onboard vessel, open deck
Applicable boat length
All lengths
Enforcement stated
Yes
No
Penalty
Yes
Any person who violates the PFD requirements onboard or for towing will be guilty of an infraction and is subject to a fine of not more than $25. Any person who violates the child PFD requirement shall committ a class C misdemeanor. Water patrol officers who observe a vessel being operated without sufficient PFDs can direct the operator to dock until the situation is remedied.
N/A
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*All persons on board a pleasure vessel <21 feet between November 1st and May 1st must wear a PFD
*Federal regulation requires at least one wearable PFD to be available for every person onboard a recreational vessel. In the absence of a state PFD law for children, children under 13 years are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD when a recreational vessel is underway unless in an enclosed cabin or below deck.Federal Regulation on Personal Flotation Devices
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