§175.15. Personal flotation devices required.
33 C.F.R. § 175.15
No person may use a recreational vessel unless—
At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person;
Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and
Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.
No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is onboard in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in paragraph (a) of this section.
No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either—
Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or
Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[CGD 81-023, 55 FR 32034, Aug. 6, 1990, as amended by CGD 92-045, 58 FR 41608, Aug. 4, 1993; USCG-2000-8589, 67 FR 42493, June 24, 2002; USCG-2013-0263, 79 FR 56499, Sept. 22, 2014]
Authority
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 4302; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.
Source
Source: CGD 72-120R, 38 FR 8115, Mar. 28, 1973, unless otherwise noted.
Amendments
[CGD 81-023, 55 FR 32034, Aug. 6, 1990, as amended by CGD 92-045, 58 FR 41608, Aug. 4, 1993; USCG-2000-8589, 67 FR 42493, June 24, 2002; USCG-2013-0263, 79 FR 56499, Sept. 22, 2014]