California Law on Life-Vests While Boating on a Vessel
A vessel is any structure that floats on water regardless of the type of propulsion it has. Motorboats, canoes, sailboats, kayaks, johnboats, dinghies and cruise ships are all types of vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard sets the standard for rules regarding safety on the water, but each state regulates its own laws regarding safe boating. California complies with all USCG standards regarding PFDs (personal flotation devices), otherwise known as life-vests.
Other People Are Reading
-
Boat
-
Big or small, if it floats it is a vessel and subject to state laws. The size of the boat matters when it comes to what you legally need onboard. Boats less than 16 feet have to have one wearable PFD for every person onboard. Boats 16 feet and longer must have one wearable PFD per person onboard and one throwable PFD on the boat. Boats are measured from the tip of the bow (not including any protruding structures like anchors, anchor pulpits, or other devices) to the transom (back wall of the hull), not including additional swim platforms, outboard engines, or other attached additions. Swim platforms that are part of the original construction in a molded hull are included in the measurement.
Age
-
The age of an individual on board a vessel is a primary starting point for legal requirements of PFDs. All children under 11 years old must wear a properly fitted PFD when on a boat less than 26 feet long. On a sailboat, if a child is wearing a harness, and tethered to the boat, he does not need a PFD. Everyone's PFD must be within easy reach, not stored in a cabin or hold.
-
Water Sports
-
PFDs are a must with water sports. All individuals engaging in any water sport such as water skiing, kneeboarding, wake boarding or tubing must wear a life-vest. Inflatable PFDs make sport activities easier and are more comfortable to wear. A wetsuit designed for water sport safety may take the place of a PFD on individuals over 11 years of age, along with a suitable PFD remaining on the boat.
Cabin
-
Life-vests are not required when boaters are inside the cabin of a boat with a completely enclosed living space. Even children under 11 years old who must wear a PFD on a boat less than 26 feet may remove their life-vest when inside the cabin of the vessel.
Types of PFD
-
Type I life-vests are used offshore in rough waters, usually when you will be out of sight of land. A type I PFD will turn the wearer upright in the water. Type II is for calm waters where immediate rescue is likely. It is not for use overnight, or in rough seas where rescue may take a long time. A Type II PFD is not effective for an unconscious swimmer because it does not turn the wearer face-up in the water. Type III PFDs work best in calm waters, in daylight conditions, for activities including kayaking and canoeing, hunting and skiing. They are not effective for long-term rescue, or unconscious victims. A type IV PFD is a buoyant cushion, or ring buoy.
Condition
-
There cannot be any tears, rips, holes, or signs of excessive wear on any PFDs on a vessel. Faded material is weak and may not protect you properly. Keep your PFD in a secure, dry, cool place when you store it and do not place heavy objects on top of it. Crushing your PFD will destroy the buoyancy of the device. Each PFD must have a Coast Guard approval stamp, tag or stencil on it.
Compliance
-
The Coast Guard patrols all U.S. waters. The U.S. Coast Guard can and will likely board your boat to check for compliance while you are on the water. Failure to observe the California safe boating laws may result in fines and removal from the water.
-
References
- Photo Credit child in life jacket image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com Big Boat, Little Boat image by Aubrey Thompson from Fotolia.com Water ski image by Pim van Gerwen from Fotolia.com coast guard image by Studio Pookini from Fotolia.com
