---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 175.15"
title: "33"
number: "175.15"
heading: "Personal flotation devices required."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/175.15"
---

# §175.15. Personal flotation devices required.


Except as provided in §§ [175.17](/cfr/33/175.17.md) and [175.25](/cfr/33/175.25.md):

- (a) No person may use a recreational vessel unless—
  - (1) At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person;
  - (2) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and
  - (3) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.
- (b) 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)](#a) of this section.
- (c) No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either—
  - (1) Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or
  - (2) **Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.**

## Notes

### 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]