I Did Not Know This About Life Jackets 2024
Bassn Blvd reply :
I'm not sure if this applies to every state, but it does in Florida. I was stopped the other day by Fish and Game. The officer was very professional while he did his job and inspected my boat. My uncle and I were the only ones in my boat so I needed two life jackets, right? Well, I had two life jackets, so I thought. My uncle was using my "vest" style jacket and I was using an " inflatable suspender" style jacket (like the Mustang). The officer told me that the "suspender" style jacket (unlike the vest style) is NOT considered a life jacket unless it is worn at all times. Once you take it off, it's no longer a life jacket.
In short, I needed to have a second "vest style" jacket in the boat if I wasn't going to wear the inflatable at all times. The officer didn't ticket me for the infraction, but schooled me none the less. And here I thought I knew everything 
A-Jay reply :
Here's some info:
From the Florida Boating site ~
Vessel Requirements
All recreational vessels must have at least one Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (life jacket) that is U.S. Coast Guard-approved and of the proper size for each person on board.
In addition to the above requirement, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one Type IV (throwable) USCG-approved personal flotation device on board and immediately available.
From the USCG ~
The United States Coast Guard PFD Specifications for
Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV, Type V, and Inflatable PFDs
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has developed specifications and criteria for approved personal flotation devices or PFDs as they are known. Every PFD will have a label or printing directly on the device identifying the Type of PFD, the size (or weight) individual it is designed for, and any other pertinent information. Below are the different specifications for each Type of PFD.
1. Type I PFD: Off-Shore Life Jacket
Type I PFDs provide the most buoyancy, are designed for offshore and rough water conditions. They come in two sizes, adult and child. The child size is designed with at least 11 pounds of buoyancy while the adult size has at least 22. The main functional feature of the Type I PFD is that it is designed to float unconscious victims in the face-up position.
2. Type II PFD: Near-Shore Life Jacket
Type II PFDs are intended for use in inland waters where there is a reasonable chance of a speedy rescue. These are your typical orange life jackets that are in the shape of a “U.” They fit over a person’s neck and come down on each side of the chest. Type II PFDs will usually turn some unconscious victims to a face-up position. These PFDs provide between 7 to 15.5 pounds of buoyancy, depending on infant to adult sizes.
3. Type III PFD: Flotation Aid
Type III PFDs are designed for inland conditions. These are usually the PFDs worn for specific activities such as fishing vests and kayaking life jackets. They are designed for comfort, continuous wear, and for maximum mobility. As such, they probably won’t turn the wearer to the face-up position in the water. Rather, they tend to float wearers in the vertical position. The definition of Type III PFDs usually contains the word “calm” to describe the water conditions they are meant for. This would be functionally incorrect as most whitewater PFDs, that is those worn by whitewater kayakers and whitewater canoeists, are Type III PFDs.
4. Type IV PFD: Throwable Device
Type IV PFDs are carried on boats as a device that can be thrown to a drowning person. These are either the circular rings found on commercial boats or around swimming pools. On recreational motor boats these take the form of seat cushion style devices. They are not meant to be worn.
5. Type V PFD: Special Use and Hybrid Devices
Type V PFDs are intended for specific activities and must be used in accordance with the specifications on their labels. Some of the features that may be included in these devices is hypothermia protection, inflatable portions, and work vests.
6. Inflatable PFDs: Types I-III
Inflatable PFDs are becoming more popular and prevalent. They are the most comfortable type of life jacket but they do have their downsides. Inflatable PFDs offer no flotation until they are inflated. They are not to be used where impact and high speeds are encountered as this can damage the inflation mechanism and in these conditions the person wearing the PFD may be knocked unconscious before they are able to deploy the inflation feature. These are also not recommended for use by children.
Inflatable PFDs are great for use in recreational kayaking and kayak fishing. They come in Type I, Type II, and Type III PFD specifications and are intended for use following the same guidelines.
Bassn Blvd reply :
#6 is not considered a life jacket unless it's being worn from what I was told. If you're in your boat and #6 is the only jacket you have, then you better have it on. If not, then you can be ticketed for not having a life jacket.
Gotfishyfingers? reply :
I think you were misinformed.Why would you have to wear any vest,regardless which one for it to be legal? I thought kids under a certain age were the only ones who had to wear a vest at all times? My mustang vest says its a type ll.
jeb2 reply :
On 1/22/2012 at 1:38 PM, Bassn Blvd said:#6 is not considered a life jacket unless it's being worn from what I was told. If you're in your boat and #6 is the only jacket you have, then you better have it on. If not, then you can be ticketed for not having a life jacket.
I pretty sure that is true nationally. It's a USCG law. Sorry you were caught unaware of it. It was certainly pointed out to me in several ways when I was in the market for my inflatable vest. I still carry enough "normal" vests in the boat to be legal no matter what, but I wear my Mustang 100% of the time I'm in any boat. That's the reason I bought it over another normal life jacket.
Hi Salenity reply :
A life jacket can't be kept in one of your boat's storage compartments either. It must be easily accessible.
scrutch reply :
This is very confusing. Like the above post, my Mustang vest says type II. As of now I haven't been able to find anywhere in Indiana's regulations that the inflatables count only if worn. To me, this means that if I have a vest that says USCG Approved Type II, it counts whether it is being worn or not. I'm gonna see my Conservation Officer buddy at church today and ask him (since he's the only one in our county that patrols our waters)
SirSnookalot reply :
I'm in Florida and I see hundreds of boaters every week including myself. In the ocean the reality is hardly anyone ever wears one, now and then you see a child wearing one but that's rare too. We have been stopped for safety checks and life preservers are always checked, ours are stowed as most people I know do and that seems to be ok, never a mention of it by the FWC. I've thought about buying one to wear all the time but haven't pulled the trigger.
KU_Bassmaster. reply :
I think it actually goes by the "Type". I can't remember which "Type" is which, but you are correct in that one of them has to be worn to be considered a life vest. Inflatables also come in the "Type" that is treated like your regular vest.
KU_Bassmaster. reply :
I just looked up the Kansas boating laws and a Type V must be worn at all times.
NBR reply :
I can't spek for other states but here in NH an inflatable type life jacket must be worn to count as a PFD towards the number of people on board. I don't understand the why behind the law but then there are a lot of laws I don't understand.
Bassn Blvd reply :
The game warden told me the reason why inflatables arent counted unless worn, but my dumb ars forgot. Anyway, I wear it all times when I'm by myself and not so much when I'm with someone.
Al Wolbach reply :
On 1/23/2012 at 1:23 AM, Bassn Blvd said:The game warden told me the reason why inflatables arent counted unless worn, but my dumb ars forgot. Anyway, I wear it all times when I'm by myself and not so much when I'm with someone.
Because if the boat were to capsize they do not float unless inflated. If your boat sinks they want your life jackets to be on the surface of the water so hopefully you can reach them. I believe you can store your jackets in a compartment as long as it isn't locked/latched. This will allow the jackets to float to the surface if your boat sinks.
By the way this is federal law, US Coast Guard Regulations and does not differ from state to state.
Pete-K reply :
Been using the SOS supenders for years, Bought a pair of them when they hit the market. And its always been you have to have these on for them to be legal.
Pete
Hi Salenity reply :
This is from KDWP
Kansas law requires that all boats have one Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFD of proper size, in serviceable condition, not in an enclosed compartment and readliy accessible for each person on board. Anyone 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times when on board a boat
scrutch reply :
On 1/23/2012 at 1:59 AM, Al Wolbach said:Because if the boat were to capsize they do not float unless inflated. If your boat sinks they want your life jackets to be on the surface of the water so hopefully you can reach them. I believe you can store your jackets in a compartment as long as it isn't locked/latched. This will allow the jackets to float to the surface if your boat sinks.
By the way this is federal law, US Coast Guard Regulations and does not differ from state to state.
An AUTOMATIC inflatable will be on the surface too if a boat capsizes. Maybe there is a stipulation between automatic and manual inflatables. Didn't run into the CO today, so I don't have any more answers. Still a little foggy. I'm doing more research.
cedmonston reply :
The important thing isn't what style of jacket it is, but what the type is. If it is a type 1,2 or 3 it doesn't have to be worn to be legal. Only type 5 jackets need to be worn to be legal. This is the same for inflatable or foam vests. The best thing to do is look at the label of the jacket--it will tell you what type it is, and whether it needs to be worn for it to count. Some inflatable jackets look just like another--but one could be a type 2, and the other a type 5. You just can't tell by looking at them in many instances.
Many state boating officers aren't fully aware of the laws--but you always have what the law is on the life jacket label...
Bassn Blvd reply :
On 1/23/2012 at 4:31 AM, cedmonston said:The important thing isn't what style of jacket it is, but what the type is. If it is a type 1,2 or 3 it doesn't have to be worn to be legal. Only type 5 jackets need to be worn to be legal. This is the same for inflatable or foam vests. The best thing to do is look at the label of the jacket--it will tell you what type it is, and whether it needs to be worn for it to count. Some inflatable jackets look just like another--but one could be a type 2, and the other a type 5. You just can't tell by looking at them in many instances.
Many state boating officers aren't fully aware of the laws--but you always have what the law is on the life jacket label...
Exactly. I sure would like to the reason though.
And the reason isn't if the boat capsizes. Automatic inflatable should inflate once it hits the water, DUH, rather it's worn or not.
J Francho reply :
Not necessarily. There both auto and manual inflate. Any auto inflate must be submerged while being worn in order to work. It says all this right on the PFD, if it's a USCG approved jacket.
cedmonston reply :
At one point in time only manually inflated jackets were approved, as a type 3. Then automatically inflated jackets were approved as a type 5-the reason being that it was felt that automatics, having more intricate inflation mechanisms, were more complicated and therefore should be worn to be legal. (and yes, automatics can also be manually inflated, before it hits the water.) That would have been an easy rule to remember-manuals are type 3, autos are type 5 and have to be worn. but then type 2 autos came along, and new jacket designs came along, and then the rule just kind of went away. Now you have no real way of knowing what a jacket is unless you look at the label.
Bassn Blvd reply :
On 1/23/2012 at 7:21 AM, J Francho said:Not necessarily. There both auto and manual inflate. Any auto inflate must be submerged while being worn in order to work. It says all this right on the PFD, if it's a USCG approved jacket.
So it says on the jacket that it has to be worn to be legal?
J Francho reply :
Mine says, "USCG Approved Type ..[blah, blah, blah] when worn." on the USCG stamp inside.
cedmonston reply :
Yes, the label will say whether or not it has to be worn to count for carriage requirements. It will look something like this...
Notice this is for a type 3 jacket, and there's nothing that says it has to be worn to count towards requirements.
Al Wolbach reply :
On 1/23/2012 at 6:20 AM, Bassn Blvd said:Exactly. I sure would like to the reason though.
And the reason isn't if the boat capsizes. Automatic inflatable should inflate once it hits the water, DUH, rather it's worn or not.
You are correct it is not if the boat capsizes, I was wrong. Must have had a brain cramp. It's probably due to the amount of floation in the inflatable as this varies from jacket to jacket and/or how long it will keep you afloat. A jacket also receives a higher rating if it will keep your head out of the water in case you are unconscious...................Al
bigbassctchr101 reply :
On 1/22/2012 at 9:51 PM, Gotfishyfingers? said:I think you were misinformed.Why would you have to wear any vest,regardless which one for it to be legal? I thought kids under a certain age were the only ones who had to wear a vest at all times? My mustang vest says its a type ll.
The way I understand this is... You don't have to wear it. But if you have a regular vest style and an inflatable laying out, then technically you only have one life jacket. For the inflatable to be considered a life preserver, it must be worn. Otherwise, have two jackets in your boat for two people, and you won't have to wear them.
J Francho reply :
In NY, all occupants of any boat underway, 21' or smaller must wear a PFD at all times From 11/1 through 4/1.
Al Wolbach reply :
On 1/24/2012 at 10:13 PM, J Francho said:In NY, all occupants of any boat underway, 21' or smaller must wear a PFD at all times From 11/1 through 4/1.
J Franko, I don't understand this one at all. Can you only die in cold water? Quicker I know but? Or <21' boats? Only underway?
I don't intend to attack you northern folks but it seems you have law makers with no real problems to solve or they just want to write intrusive laws. The no lead I can somewhat understand but this I can't. Is there some logical reason I have overlooked?...........................Al
J Francho reply :
A string of easily preventable deaths, both to victims and rescuers prompted the law. By "underway" their definition is anything other than moored or anchored.
SirSnookalot reply :
I think hypothermia will set in faster in colder water.
I don't know what the Florida law is, I've been offshore twice, Saturday and Wednesday. 3 footers saturday and 5' yesterday, it was rough, yet I saw absolutely no one wearing a pfd, whether moving or drifting, boats of all sizes. I've never understood why no one wears one, including myself and I've been on the water for 60 years. I do think there should be a law and if one is already in place it should be enforced.
slonezp reply :
On 1/27/2012 at 2:43 AM, SirSnookalot said:I've never understood why no one wears one, including myself and I've been on the water for 60 years.
I think you answered your own question. You haven't been affected in anyway by not wearing a PFD.
bigbassctchr101 reply :
Yea, i'm not all up for enforcing the life jacket rule myself... I understand its for your own good and everything. But, I look at it a little like a seatbelt. Why should we HAVE to be forced to wear one? So I don't die in a wreck? I can understand that if my projectiled body was a health hazard to innocent bystanders once I flew out the window, but... I think that should be my right to be stupid as long as it will not hurt anyone else.
Saying that you have to wear a life jacket borders too close to saying, you cannot smoke because it could kill you, or all them other on the fence decisions that people do or don't do but would live longer if they did one over the other. In most tournaments we do have to wear them while being under power of the gas motor. Perfectly fine with that, I pay to fish in their tournament, they get to make whatever rules they want...dumb or not. If I don't like it, its my right not to fish it. I personally do wear a life jacket when running the big motor if its widy and have a lot of big waves, but thats about it. Would also make since that the captain of an offshore boat would have to wear one when guiding (or at least someone that could stay alive to be responsible for other members of that boat). But due to insurances, I would hope a captain of a guided trip would make passengers wear it anyway.
Other than that....this is America. We should have the right to be stupid if it doesn't affect others in a harmful way.
scrutch reply :
On 1/28/2012 at 5:10 AM, bigbassctchr101 said:Yea, i'm not all up for enforcing the life jacket rule myself... I understand its for your own good and everything. But, I look at it a little like a seatbelt. Why should we HAVE to be forced to wear one? So I don't die in a wreck? I can understand that if my projectiled body was a health hazard to innocent bystanders once I flew out the window, but... I think that should be my right to be stupid as long as it will not hurt anyone else.
Saying that you have to wear a life jacket borders too close to saying, you cannot smoke because it could kill you, or all them other on the fence decisions that people do or don't do but would live longer if they did one over the other. In most tournaments we do have to wear them while being under power of the gas motor. Perfectly fine with that, I pay to fish in their tournament, they get to make whatever rules they want...dumb or not. If I don't like it, its my right not to fish it. I personally do wear a life jacket when running the big motor if its widy and have a lot of big waves, but thats about it. Would also make since that the captain of an offshore boat would have to wear one when guiding (or at least someone that could stay alive to be responsible for other members of that boat). But due to insurances, I would hope a captain of a guided trip would make passengers wear it anyway.
Other than that....this is America. We should have the right to be stupid if it doesn't affect others in a harmful way.
So kind of a natural selection of sorts. Eventually there won't be anyone that doesn't want to wear a pfd. 
Triton Bob reply :
On 1/23/2012 at 1:59 AM, Al Wolbach said:Because if the boat were to capsize they do not float unless inflated. If your boat sinks they want your life jackets to be on the surface of the water so hopefully you can reach them. I believe you can store your jackets in a compartment as long as it isn't locked/latched. This will allow the jackets to float to the surface if your boat sinks.
By the way this is federal law, US Coast Guard Regulations and does not differ from state to state.
Well I beg to differ on the regulations. This came up when I took my Captians Course in Ft Lauderdale Fl. The Coast Guard does not normally patrol or respond to "Inland Waters" That is patroled by the FWC and the local Sheiff of the County or Township where the waters are located. Now in most cases the FWC "Florida WildLife Commision" Regulations mirror the Coast Guards but once in a while you'll find a few differences. Lake Okeechobee is patroled by the FWC and the Sheriff.
Triton Bob reply :
Just one other thing most boaters forget. Those flares. They have expiration dates. If the Coast Guard, Sheriff asks to see them they'll check those dates. Yep, you can get a ticket for that.
Bassn Blvd reply :
Very true ^
Here's a kicker for ya. I got stopped AGAIN during my last tournament. This time it was a deputy sheriff from the marine unit. His reason for stopping me? He said there wasn't enough contrast between my FL numbers and the background paint. He said the numbers weren't visible enough from a distance. I said "from what distance, a mile?" I have black numbers on a red background. .
Al Wolbach reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 2:15 AM, Triton Bob said:Well I beg to differ on the regulations. This came up when I took my Captians Course in Ft Lauderdale Fl. The Coast Guard does not normally patrol or respond to "Inland Waters" That is patroled by the FWC and the local Sheiff of the County or Township where the waters are located. Now in most cases the FWC "Florida WildLife Commision" Regulations mirror the Coast Guards but once in a while you'll find a few differences. Lake Okeechobee is patroled by the FWC and the Sheriff.
I stand corrected!
I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors" rules and regulations.Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they only apply to what are considered navigatable waters.And the only way I know to recognize them is bouys and channel markers, which of course are maintained by the Coast Guard. The Tennessee River chain of lakes is a good example of navigatable waters. Most of these are used for barge traffic.
I had my boat searched by a county sherrif at the Harney Pond ramp a few years ago. Still don't know what he was looking for but I had nothing to hide. I have been checked by wildlife folks all over the south but being checked by the sherrif was a first for me.............................Al
J Francho reply :
On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police.
Bassn Blvd reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 3:02 AM, J Francho said:On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police.
Geez'us, do you ever get the chance to fish?haha
J Francho reply :
I know most of the guys, so I don't get checked. Last year, I was appraoched by the CG and DEC Po-Po, as soon as they got close enough, they were like, "New boat?" Me, "Yep." "Have a nice day!"
Triton Bob reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 2:47 AM, Al Wolbach said:I stand corrected!
I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors" rules and regulations.Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they only apply to what are considered navigatable waters.And the only way I know to recognize them is bouys and channel markers, which of course are maintained by the Coast Guard. The Tennessee River chain of lakes is a good example of navigatable waters. Most of these are used for barge traffic.
I had my boat searched by a county sherrif at the Harney Pond ramp a few years ago. Still don't know what he was looking for but I had nothing to hide. I have been checked by wildlife folks all over the south but being checked by the sherrif was a first for me.............................Al
Most folks do not realize the power the FWC has in Florida. No other law enforcement officer with exception of the FDLC has more power. These guys can conduct traffic stops, arrest, as well as seize property.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 3:02 AM, J Francho said:On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police.
This is true.
Another way to look at it might me you are fortunate enough to have multiple Federal, State and Local agencies that are trained and ready to provide every type of assistance any mariner might require.
A-Jay
A-Jay reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 2:47 AM, Al Wolbach said:I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors"
Really - Did you tell them you were a "Squid" ?
That usually helps.
A-Jay
J Francho reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 3:37 AM, A-Jay said:This is true.
Another way to look at it might me you are fortunate enough to have multiple Federal, State and Local agencies that are trained and ready to provide every type of assistance any mariner might require.
A-Jay
Or shoot us if we try anything hinky, LOL.
Triton Bob reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 2:47 AM, Al Wolbach said:I stand corrected!
I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors" rules and regulations.Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they only apply to what are considered navigatable waters.And the only way I know to recognize them is bouys and channel markers, which of course are maintained by the Coast Guard. The Tennessee River chain of lakes is a good example of navigatable waters. Most of these are used for barge traffic.
I had my boat searched by a county sherrif at the Harney Pond ramp a few years ago. Still don't know what he was looking for but I had nothing to hide. I have been checked by wildlife folks all over the south but being checked by the sherrif was a first for me.............................Al
It's funny you use the term "Shallow Water Sailors" But the regulations or State Status are pretty much the same whether the vessel is in five feet of water or off shore in two hundred feet. Now once we start talking larger vessels that's a whole other animal. I know in Florida there are plenty of waters with no bouys or channel markers. But vessels are still supose to follow the "rules of the road" so to speak.
Al Wolbach reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 4:15 AM, Triton Bob said:It's funny you use the term "Shallow Water Sailors" But the regulations or State Status are pretty much the same whether the vessel is in five feet of water or off shore in two hundred feet. Now once we start talking larger vessels that's a whole other animal. I know in Florida there are plenty of waters with no bouys or channel markers. But vessels are still supose to follow the "rules of the road" so to speak.
"Shallow water sailors" is a loving phase the Navy uses to recognize our friends in the Coast Guard, but not a phase they see the humor in................While in the Navy I logged several hundred hours flight time with the Coast Guard flying Sea Air Rescue missions. I had many friends in the USCG and truely admire their work. Just don't usually tell them so.......................Al
Al Wolbach reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 3:02 AM, J Francho said:On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police.
At the risk of confirming stupid, What are ECON and DEC Police?
slonezp reply :
On 2/3/2012 at 3:02 AM, J Francho said:On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police.
I've been boarded once by the USCG, been confronted by them a few times for fishing too close to the nuclear and water treatment plants on Lake Michigan and confronted by Chicago PD. Only happens really early or really late in the season when no one else is on the water.
Triton Bob reply :
On 1/22/2012 at 9:51 PM, Gotfishyfingers? said:I think you were misinformed.Why would you have to wear any vest,regardless which one for it to be legal? I thought kids under a certain age were the only ones who had to wear a vest at all times? My mustang vest says its a type ll.
By the way my bass pro mustang inflatable is a type II and does not have be worn.
Bob
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