5-331. Personal flotation devices;
exceptions
A. All watercraft, except sailboards, shall carry United States coast guard
approved personal flotation devices of the type and category prescribed by regulations of
the commission. There shall be one such device in good and serviceable condition for
each person on board and so placed as to be readily accessible for immediate use.
B. Any person being towed behind a watercraft shall wear a buoyant belt or personal
flotation device while being towed except for a performer engaged in a professional
exhibition.
C. A child twelve years of age or under on board a watercraft shall wear a United
States coast guard approved type I, II or III personal flotation device whenever the
watercraft is underway.
D. The provisions of subsection C shall not apply to small passenger vessels that
are not for hire on navigable waters, that maintain a coast guard certificate of
inspection and that are being operated by United States coast guard licensed pilots
within a distance of one-fourth mile from the nearest shore as a means of transporting
passengers and when the duration of time the vessel is underway on the water does not
exceed ten minutes.
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