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This is the current up-to-date list of the U.S Coast Guard’s minimum safety requirements for recreational boats with sizes of up to 65 ft (19.8m) in size. These requirements detail what boating safety equipment must be present on board, and other necessary features that must be installed to comply with federal laws.
It’s worth noting that these are only the minimum requirements, and we recommend that you exceed them if you can. Similarly, these USCG rules are only the federal requirements. Individual states may have additions to this list, with additional equipment and operating standards require on top of these minimum requirements. Check with your local authorities to find out the specifics.
U.S. COAST GUARD MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATIONAL BOATS
Personal Flotation Devices
For boats smaller than 16 ft (4.9m): One approved Type I, II, III or V (must be worn) PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, tubes, etc.
For boats sized between than 16 ft and 65.6 ft (20m): One approved Type I, II or III PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, etc.; and one throwable Type IV device. ( A type V PFD may be used in lieu of any wearable PFD if approved for the activity in which the boat is being used. A TYPE V HYBRID MUST be worn to be legal.)
Note: Check state laws for PFD wearing requirements for children and for certain water craft and sports. Federal Regulations mandate that states without child life jacket laws require that youths under 13 wear an approved PFD whenever a recreational boat is underway, unless below decks or in a closed cabin. States with existing regulations are not required to alter their status. Make sure you check your state regulations before getting underway with children onboard.
Bells and Whistles
For all boats smaller than 65.6 ft (20m): Every vessel less than 65.6 ft. (20 meters) in length must carry an efficient sound producing device.
For boats larger than 65.6 ft: On Federally controlled waters, every vessel 65.6 ft. (20 meters) or larger in length must carry a whistle and a bell. They must be audible for 1 nautical mile.
Visual Distress Signals
These visual distress signal requirements only apply for coastal waters, the Great Lakes and U.S. owned boats on the high seas.
For boats smaller than 16 ft (4.9m): They are required to carry approved visual distress signals for night-time use.
For boats above 16 ft but no greater than 65.6 ft: They must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use.
Fire Extinguishers
For boats up to 26 ft (7.9m): One B-I type approved hand portable fire extinguisher. (Not required on outboard motorboats less than 26 ft in length if the construction of the motorboat is such that it does not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors, and if fuel tanks are not permanently installed.)
For boats between 26 ft and 40 ft (12.2m): Two B-I type OR one B-II type approved portable fire extinguishers.
For boats between 40 ft and 65.6 ft: Three B-I type OR one B-I type PLUS one B-II type approved portable fire extinguishers are required.
Note: When a fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery spaces it will replace one B-I portable fire extinguisher.
Ventilation
Coast Guard requirements on ventilation differ depending on the date your boat was manufactured. The requirements don’t change depending on the size of your vessel, just the date it was built.
Boats built on or after 8/1/1980: At least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and/or tank, except those having permanently installed tanks that vent outside of the boat and which contain no unprotected electrical devices.
Engine compartments containing a gasoline engine with a cranking motor are additionally required to contain power operated exhaust blowers that can be controlled from the instrument panel.
Boats built before 8/1/1980: At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment using gasoline as fuel or other fuels having a flashpoint of 110 degrees or less. This applies to boats constructed or decked over after April 25, 1940.
Back Fire Flame Arrestor
One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except for outboard motors. This regulation applies to all recreational boats.
Navigation Rulebooks
All boats over 40 ft in length must carry an up to date copy of the ISDOT ISCG International – Inland Navigational Rules book on board.
Other Things To Consider
It’s worth noting that some states have requirements in addition to the federal requirements. Make sure that you check your state’s boating laws for additional requirements. While these aren’t always mandatory, we’ve put together a short list of things that are essential to keep aboard, no matter what size your boat is.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit should be kept on board. Make sure it has a selection of band aids and bandages, as well as range of medication.
Tools
Keeping tools on your boat can help you out in a bind. Don’t rely on pocket knives and multi-tools; having the right tool for the job will make minor repairs much easier.
VHF Radio
No boat should leave the marina without some kind of practical communication device. While some boaters are confident enough to leave with just a cell phone, a portable VHF radio will be of far more use in an emergency.
Emergency Fuel And Water
Spare fuel is sensible to have on board. You don’t want to get caught out with an empty fuel tank. Similarly, extra reserves of drinking water should also be kept aboard.
Bilge Pump
While most large vessels will have bilge pumps as standard, we recommend traveling with a manual bilge pump to help bail out water in the event of a power failure. A bucket will also work, but a dedicated bilge pump is a better tool for the job.
Sun Protection
A bottle of sunscreen should be kept along with your first aid kit. There will be at least one occasion when you head out on the water but forget to bring some sun protection.
An Anchor
An anchor and chain may help in an emergency. If you can keep yourself anchored to a single point, it will be easier for authorities to find you. An anchor with enough chain should be kept aboard all recreational boats.
In Summary: USCG’S Required Boat Safety Kit
The U.S Coast Guard’s minimum requirements are just that: the minimum requirement. We recommend that you exceed these requirements where possible. There’s nothing wrong with carrying more PFDs than you need, or equipping more visual distress signals than the rule book says.
Don’t forget, these Coast Guard boat requirements are in place to keep you safe. Besides, if you don’t follow the rules and end up having an accident, your insurance company won’t pay you a dime if you didn’t take the necessary precautions.
For peace-of-mind, we recommend that you contact your neared branch of the U.S. Coast Guard or U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for a voluntary Vessel Safety Check.
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will perform a Courtesy Marine Examination (CME) of your boat and equipment free of charge. This inspection covers federal and state requirements. If your boat meets all CME requirements, you will receive a CME decal. If your boat fails to meet all requirements, no report is made to any law enforcement agency.
Lights
All vessels must be equipped with prescribed navigation lights when operated at night in accordance with the Boating Safety Laws. Operators of all vessels must comply with the requirements for the type and use of lights when anchored or underway from sunset to sunrise.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)
- Vessels less than 4.9 meters (16 feet) in length will have aboard a type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device for each person. Vessels 4.9 meters (16 feet) and over in length shall have aboard a type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device for each person and at least one type IV on board as a throwable device.
- Each person operating, riding on, or being towed by a personal watercraft must wear a personal flotation device approved by the U. S. Coast Guard.
- All persons under eight (8) years of age, on any vessel, must, at all times, wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device that must be strapped, snapped, or zipped securely in place; except, that no personal flotation device should be required when inside an enclosed cabin or enclosed sleeping space.
CAUTION: Personal flotation devices must be accessible and of the proper size. Those that are torn, rotted, or damaged, lose their approval.
CAUTION: A type V personal flotation device is a PFD approved for restricted uses. Type V PFD's must be worn in open boats and when on the deck of larger boats in order to be classified as U. S. Coast Guard approved.
Fire Extinguishers
All vessels, as herein designated, must be equipped with a serviceable U. S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher of the type and capacity indicated.
- All inboard and inboard/outboard vessels, regardless of size, and all motor vessels having closed compartments wherein portable fuel tanks are stored or having permanently installed fuel tanks shall have a hand portable or semi-portable fire extinguisher using carbon dioxide (CO2), foam, or other chemical ingredients such as is commonly used for extinguishing gasoline fires or petroleum product fires. Such fire extinguisher shall be approved by the U. S. Coast Guard.
- All vessels equipped with any butane gas, propane gas, kerosene, gasoline or petroleum product consuming device except outboard motors, such as a stove or lantern shall have a hand portable or semi-portable fire extinguisher using carbon dioxide (CO2), foam, or other chemical ingredient such as is commonly used for extinguishing a fire produced by the use of such device. Such fire extinguisher shall be approved by the U. S. Coast Guard.
- All motor vessels having closed or semi-closed cabins and any vessel with sleeping accommodations shall have a hand portable fire extinguisher or semi-portable fire extinguisher using carbon dioxide (CO2), foam, or other chemical ingredients such as is commonly used for extinguishing fires. Such fire extinguisher shall be approved by the U. S. Coast Guard.
*Flammable liquids include gasoline, kerosene, oil and stove alcohol.
Flame Arrestor
Every motorboat using gasoline as fuel, except outboard motors, shall have the carburetor or carburetors of every engine therein equipped with a U. S. Coast Guard approved flame arrestor or backfire trap.
Emergency Cut-off Switch
No person shall operate or give permission to operate any vessel less than 7.3 meters (24 feet) in length, having an open cockpit and having more than fifty (50) horsepower, unless the said vessel is equipped with an emergency engine or motor shut-off switch. The shut-off switch shall be a lanyard-type and shall be attached to the person, clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator. It shall be installed so that when any removal of the operator from the normal operating station will result in the immediate shut-off of the engine. Any person operating a personal watercraft that does not have self-circling capabilities must have a lanyard-type engine shut-off switch, which must be attached to the person, clothing, or personal flotation device of the operator.
Sound Device
All vessels 4.9 meters (16 feet) or more in length must have on board the proper signal device for use during nighttime operation or inclement weather where visibility is greatly reduced.
Visual Distress Signals (Flares)
Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) allow boat operators to signal for help in the event of an emergency. VDSs are classified as day signals (visible in bright sunlight), night signals (visible at night) or both day and night signals. VDSs are either pyrotechnic (smoke and flames) or non-pyrotechnic (non-combustible).
Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals
Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals
- All boats used on federally controlled waters must be equipped with U. S. Coast Guard-approved (day and night) visual distress signals.
- All boats on federal waters are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset and sunrise. In addition, the following boats must also carry day signals:
- Recreational boats 16 feet or longer
- Non-motorized, open sailboats 26 feet or longer.
- If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, a minimum of three must be carried in the boat. Pyrotechnic VDSs must be U. S. Coast Guard-approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.
- The following combinations of signals are examples of VDSs that could be carried onboard to satisfy U. S. Coast Guard requirements:
- Three hand-held red flares (day and night) or...
- Three orange smoke signals (day only) and one electric light (night only).
- It is prohibited to display visual distress signals on the water except when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons onboard a boat.
Federally Controlled Waters
Boat and PWC operators must observe federal regulations when boating on:
- Coastal waters
- The Great Lakes
- Territorial seas
- Waters which are two miles wide or wider and are connected to one of the above.
Diver's Flag
The diver's flag will be at least 300 mm (12 inches) square, colored red with a white 500 mm (2 inches) stripe running diagonally from the top staff corner to the bottom fly corner. Boat owners will stay at least 30.5 meters (100 feet) away from the displayed flag.
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