What Equipment is Required on a Boat in California?
Whenever you go boating, it’s important to have all required safety equipment on board to make sure that you’re in compliance with California state law and that you’re well prepared for any eventuality. Here is an overview of the boat safety equipment required in California for different sizes and types of vessels.
Human-powered craft
Life jackets
All human-powered craft must carry a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for each person on board. The life jackets must be in good condition, suitable for the intended wearer and activity, and kept close at hand.
Sound signalling devices
Human-powered vessels must carry a whistle, bell or other device that can emit an effective sound signal.
Night time boating equipment requirements
Navigation lights
All vessels must display navigation lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility. Acceptable navigation lights include:
- A flashlight or other bright light
- A lantern showing a white light that can be displayed in time to prevent a collision
- A tricolored lantern OR all-round green and red lights (not to be used together)
Visual distress signals (only required on coastal waters)
Vessels are required to have one or more of the following devices on board between the hours of sunset and sunrise:
- Hand-held red flare
- Pistol-projected parachute red flare
- Hand-held, rocket-propelled parachute, red
- Red aerial pyrotechnic flare
- Electric distress light
Sailboats
Life jackets
All sailboats must carry a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for each person on board. The life jackets must be in good condition, suitable for the intended wearer and activity, and kept close at hand.
By law, all children under 13 years of age are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway unless they are harnessed to the boat, in an enclosed cabin, or in an emergency rescue situation.
Throwable flotation device
Sailboats that are 16 ft or longer are required to have a throwable flotation device (e.g. ring buoy, throwable foam cushion, horseshoe buoy, etc.) approved by the U.S. Coast Guard on board.
Sound signalling devices
Sailboats must carry a whistle, bell or other device that can emit an effective sound signal. Boats over 39 ft 4 in must carry both a whistle and a bell.
Navigation lights
All vessels must display navigation lights between the hours of sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.
Visual distress signals (only required on coastal waters)
All boats that are 16 ft or longer are required to have at least one of the following visual distress signaling devices on board at all times:
- Hand-held red flare
- Pistol-projected parachute red flare
- Hand-held, rocket-propelled parachute, red
- Red aerial pyrotechnic flare
- Floating or hand-held orange smoke distress signal or orange flag (for daytime use)
- An electric distress light (for nighttime use)
Fire safety equipment
Fire extinguisher
Fire extinguishers on board must be within 12 years of the manufacturing date stamped on the bottle. Newer models of boats (from 2018 on) must use 5-B, 10-B or 20-B extinguishers. Older models (up to 2017) may still use B-1 or B-11 extinguishers that are less than 12 years old.
Backfire flame arrestor
Vessels equipped with inboard gas motors that aren’t exposed to the atmosphere above the level of the gunwales must have a backfire flame arrestor approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Motorized sailboats
Muffling system
Any sailboat equipped with an internal combustion engine must have an effective muffling system for the exhaust.
Ventilation system
All motorized vessels equipped with a gas engine in a closed compartment are required to have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or similar.
Vessels built after July 31, 1990 and equipped with a gas engine must have an adequate ventilation system.
Motorized vessels under 16 ft
Life jackets
All motorboats must carry a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for each person on board. The life jackets must be in good condition, suitable for the intended wearer and activity, and kept close at hand.
By law, all children under 13 years of age are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway unless they are in an enclosed cabin.
Sound signalling devices
Vessels under 39 ft 4 in are required to carry a means of emitting an effective sound signal, but it need not be a whistle or a bell.
Navigation lights
Boats under 16 ft are only required to carry navigation lights for use between the hours of sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.
Visual distress signals (only required on coastal waters)
Boats under 16 ft are only required to carry visual distress signals for nighttime use, as long as they are open, competing in a race or similar event, or not equipped with propulsion machinery.
Fire safety equipment
Fire extinguisher
Fire extinguishers on board must be within 12 years of the manufacturing date stamped on the bottle. Newer models of boats (from 2018 on) must use 5-B, 10-B or 20-B extinguishers. Older models (up to 2017) may still use B-1 or B-11 extinguishers that are less than 12 years old.
Vessels equipped with a fixed fire extinguishing system in the machinery space are exempt from carrying a portable fire extinguisher.
Backfire flame arrestor
Vessels equipped with inboard gas motors that aren’t exposed to the atmosphere above the level of the gunwales must have a backfire flame arrestor approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Muffling system
Boats equipped with an internal combustion engine must have an effective muffling system for the exhaust.
Ventilation system
All motorized vessels equipped with a gas engine in a closed compartment are required to have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or similar.
Vessels built after July 31, 1990 and equipped with a gas engine must have an adequate ventilation system.
Motorized vessels between 16 and 25 ft long
Life jackets
All motorboats must carry a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for each person on board. The life jackets must be in good condition, suitable for the intended wearer and activity, and kept close at hand.
ll children under 13 years of age are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway unless they are in an enclosed cabin.
Sound signalling devices
Vessels under 39 ft 4 in are required to carry a means of emitting an effective sound signal, but it need not be a whistle or a bell.
Navigation lights
Recreational motorboats should display an all-round stern light and red and green sidelights while underway.
Visual distress signals (only required on coastal waters)
All boats that are 16 ft or longer are required to have at least one of the following visual distress signaling devices on board at all times:
- Hand-held red flare
- Pistol-projected parachute red flare
- Hand-held, rocket-propelled parachute, red
- Red aerial pyrotechnic flare
- Floating or hand-held orange smoke distress signal or orange flag (for daytime use)
- An electric distress light (for nighttime use)
Fire safety equipment
Fire extinguisher
Fire extinguishers on board must be within 12 years of the manufacturing date stamped on the bottle. Newer models of boats (from 2018 on) must use 5-B, 10-B or 20-B extinguishers. Older models (up to 2017) may still use B-1 or B-11 extinguishers that are less than 12 years old.
Vessels equipped with a fixed fire extinguishing system in the machinery space are exempt from carrying a portable fire extinguisher.
Backfire flame arrestor
Vessels equipped with inboard gas motors that aren’t exposed to the atmosphere above the level of the gunwales must have a backfire flame arrestor approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Muffling system
Boats equipped with one or more internal combustion engines must have an effective muffling system for the exhaust of each engine.
Ventilation system
All motorized vessels equipped with a gas engine in a closed compartment are required to have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or similar.
Vessels built after July 31, 1990 and equipped with a gas engine must have an adequate ventilation system.
Motorized vessels between 26 and 39 ft long
Life jackets
All motorboats must carry a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for each person on board. The life jackets must be in good condition, suitable for the intended wearer and activity, and kept close at hand.
By law, all children under 13 years of age are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway unless they are in an enclosed cabin.
Sound signalling devices
Vessels under 39 ft 4 in are required to carry a means of emitting an effective sound signal.
Navigation lights
Recreational motorboats should display an all-round stern light and red and green sidelights while underway.
Visual distress signals (only required on coastal waters)
All boats that are 16 ft or longer are required to have at least one of the following visual distress signaling devices on board at all times:
- Hand-held red flare
- Pistol-projected parachute red flare
- Hand-held, rocket-propelled parachute, red
- Red aerial pyrotechnic flare
- Floating or hand-held orange smoke distress signal or orange flag (for daytime use)
- An electric distress light (for nighttime use)
Fire safety equipment
Fire extinguisher
Fire extinguishers on board must be within 12 years of the manufacturing date stamped on the bottle. Newer models of boats (from 2018 on) must use 5-B, 10-B or 20-B extinguishers. Older models (up to 2017) may still use B-1 or B-11 extinguishers that are less than 12 years old.
Vessels that are not equipped with a fixed fire extinguishing system in the machinery space must carry two portable B-1, 5-B or 10-B fire extinguishers OR one B-11 or 20-B fire extinguisher. Vessels that are equipped with a fixed system are required to carry one B-1, 5-B or 10-B portable fire extinguisher.
Backfire flame arrestor
Vessels equipped with inboard gas motors that aren’t exposed to the atmosphere above the level of the gunwales must have a backfire flame arrestor approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Muffling system
Boats equipped with one or more internal combustion engines must have an effective muffling system for the exhaust of each engine.
Ventilation system
All motorized vessels equipped with a gas engine in a closed compartment are required to have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or similar.
Vessels built after July 31, 1990 and equipped with a gas engine must have an adequate ventilation system.
Motorized vessels between 40 and 65 ft long
Life jackets
All motorboats must carry a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for each person on board. The life jackets must be in good condition, suitable for the intended wearer and activity, and kept close at hand.
By law, all children under 13 years of age are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway unless they are in an enclosed cabin.
Sound signalling devices
Vessels that are 39 ft 4 in or longer are required to carry a whistle and a bell.
Navigation lights
Recreational motorboats should display a masthead light, a stern light and red and green sidelights while underway.
Visual distress signals (only required on coastal waters)
All boats that are 16 ft or longer are required to have at least one of the following visual distress signaling devices on board at all times:
- Hand-held red flare
- Pistol-projected parachute red flare
- Hand-held, rocket-propelled parachute, red
- Red aerial pyrotechnic flare
- Floating or hand-held orange smoke distress signal or orange flag (for daytime use)
- An electric distress light (for nighttime use)
Fire safety equipment
Fire extinguisher
Fire extinguishers on board must be within 12 years of the manufacturing date stamped on the bottle. Newer models of boats (from 2018 on) must use 5-B, 10-B or 20-B extinguishers. Older models (up to 2017) may still use B-1 or B-11 extinguishers that are less than 12 years old.
Vessels that are not equipped with a fixed fire extinguishing system in the machinery space must carry three portable B-1, 5-B or 10-B fire extinguishers OR one B-11 or 20-B AND one B-1, 5-B or 10-B fire extinguisher. Vessels that are equipped with a fixed system are required to carry two portable B-1 or 5-B fire extinguishers OR one B-11 or 20-B fire extinguisher.
Backfire flame arrestor
Vessels equipped with inboard gas motors that aren’t exposed to the atmosphere above the level of the gunwales must have a backfire flame arrestor approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Muffling system
Boats equipped with one or more internal combustion engines must have an effective muffling system for the exhaust of each engine.
Ventilation system
All motorized vessels equipped with a gas engine in a closed compartment are required to have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or similar.
Vessels built after July 31, 1990 and equipped with a gas engine must have an adequate ventilation system.
Learn everything you need to know about boat safety from DAB USA!
Knowing what equipment is required on a boat is an important aspect of keeping everyone safe on the water. To that end, California is currently phasing in a boater education requirement. Everyone under the age of 46 is required to take a safety course to obtain their California boater card in order to operate a recreational vessel, and people of all ages will be required to do so by 2025.
Drive a Boat USA offers a comprehensive online boating safety course approved by NASBLA, the national organization that regulates boater education programs. That means that the boater card we issue to those who complete the course is valid when traveling in any state, and even in Canada! Register for our course today.