Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Ryan
Considerations
The U.S. Coast Guard enacts and enforces life jacket regulations. Some individual states have their own regulations.
Identification
The U.S. Coast Guard regulation governing life jacket age rules states that any child younger than 13 years of age must wear a life jacket that is Coast Guard approved when on a recreational vessel in operation. The rule, which went into effect in 2002, does not apply when children are in an enclosed cabin or below decks.
Features
The Coast Guard regulation applies only to those states that do not have their own life jacket age rules. For states that do have regulations, the Coast Guard recognizes those rules.
Function
The Coast Guard enacted life jacket age rules to address the increasing number of childhood drownings while boating.
Warning
Boat operators are subject to fines if passengers younger than 13 do not wear life jackets. The penalties, as listed in the U.S. boating regulations on CommanderBob.com, are comparable to those for failure to have life jackets on board, which can be as much as $1,000 per violation.
Article Written By Linda Hinkle
Linda Hinkle has written professionally for more than four years for several online companies, including WiseGeek and others. Her areas of specialty include health and wellness, education and outdoor recreation. She is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in education.
