California Life Jacket Laws and Requirements
A life jacket is a vital piece of boating safety equipment that could well save your life in the event of an emergency situation on the water. Wearing a life jacket is strongly recommended at all times while on board a vessel, since there may not be time to find one and put it on in the event of an emergency. Here is an overview of the laws pertaining to life jacket use in California.
Life jacket requirements for children
Children under 13 years of age are required to wear a life jacket at all times on a vessel while it is underway. The life jacket must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, in good condition and suitable for the wearer and activity. There are three exceptions to this life jacket requirement:
- Children who are wearing a harness tethered to a sailboat
- Children who are in an enclosed cabin
- Children who are on a vessel while an emergency rescue operation is underway
Life jacket requirements for boats under 16 ft long
Boats under 16 ft long must be equipped with a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. The life jackets must be kept close at hand, and passengers must be shown where they are.
Life jacket requirements for canoes, kayaks and paddle boards
The life jacket requirements for canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are the same as those for boats under 16 ft long.
Life jacket requirements for PWCs and towing
Anyone who is on a PWC or being towed behind a vessel is required to wear a life jacket.
Life jacket requirements for boats 16 ft and longer
Like smaller vessels, boats 16 ft and longer must be equipped with a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. Furthermore, they are required to carry a type IV flotation device that is designed to be thrown, such as a ring, cushion or horseshoe buoy.
Get your California boater card to boat in compliance with state law!
In addition to life jacket laws, California also has other regulations that are intended to keep boaters safe on the water. One of these is the requirement for individuals to pass a boating safety course in order to operate a recreational vessel, which is being phased in progressively by age. Currently, all boaters aged 45 and younger are required to take the course and pass the exam to obtain their California boater card, and people of all ages will be required to do so by 2025.
Drive a Boat USA offers an online boater safety course that’s approved by NASBLA and the state of California. Our course materials will teach you everything you need to know about boating safety and state boating regulations. Once you feel ready, you can take the exam to obtain your boater education card, which is good for life. Register today!