SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-throwable-16-feet

At what boat length does federal law add a throwable flotation device to the wearable ones?

16 feet or longer needs one throwable too.

  1. 12 feet or longer
  2. 16 feet or longer ✔
  3. 26 feet or longer

Why: 33 CFR 175.15 requires one throwable PFD on recreational boats 16 feet or more, on top of a wearable for each person. Canoes and kayaks are exempt from the throwable rule.

Huh, didn't know that: The Coast Guard guide still calls the throwable a Type IV device, even though the regulations dropped the old type numbers.

The dad joke
Why did the ring buoy get a promotion? It always threw itself into the job.
Like this card?
Play the game

Sources

  1. 33 CFR 175.15 Personal flotation devices required (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.15
  2. 33 CFR 175.17 Exemptions (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.17

Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterFederal rules say a recreational boat must carry how many wearable life jackets?Boating & WaterHow must a required throwable flotation device be kept on a boat?Boating & WaterUnder the federal rule, kids under what age must wear a life jacket on a moving boat?

That's stuff everyone should know.