Are there states that do not require life vests? (motor, engine, Colorado)

[sirron]

Just wondering after seeing the President's children on a boat without them.

[North Beach Person]

As far as I know from my boating class the PFD requirements include all states and territorial waters per the USCG.

[KoobleKar]

Hmmmm???

I know my state requires you to have enough on board for every person in the boat...if not an actual life vest, then at least a flotation pillow. But you don't have to be actually wearing them.

But....it seems to me there is a certain age-range at which a vest must be worn.

EDIT: Research revealed that all passengers under the age of 12 must actually wear a life jacket in any boat (20 ft or less), canoe, or kayak.

Boaters should also note that certain waters maintained by federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers require all passengers (child and adult) to wear USGS approved life jackets at all times.

[motormaker]

^^ The last sentence is not really true. These have been the rules at Lake Mead National Recreation Area for as long as I can remember.

Lake Mead NRA: Boating Regulations - DesertUSA


Lifejackets or Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Boaters must have a minimum of one good and serviceable U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board their vessel. PFD's must fit the intended user this includes children and infants. All persons 12 years or younger must wear a PFD while on board a vessel. All boats 16 feet or over must have a USCG-approved type IV (throwable) PFD on board in addition to PFD’s for each individual. For Personal Water Crafts a minimum of one USCG approved PFD must be worn by each person on board.

[KoobleKar]

Originally Posted by motormaker

^^ The last sentence is not really true. These have been the rules at Lake Mead National Recreation Area for as long as I can remember.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's not true.

If you notice the BOLD part of that sentence.....

Boaters should also note that certain waters maintained by federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers require all passengers (child and adult) to wear USGS approved life jackets at all times.

Meaning that certain ones do while others may not.

[motormaker]

^^ Can you point us to which ones do and others may not?

[KoobleKar]

No, I can't.

But after reading that I would always check the local rules when I went to one.

It's not as if I wrote that sentence...it's copied directly from my State's boating laws.

I'm not sure what ages the President's kids are so I can't say if they were violating any laws or not.

[motormaker]

I pretty much came to the same conclusion after reading some Coast Guard rules and CFR's.