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Equipment Checklist

Personal Watercraft PWC

Class A Less Than 16 feet (ft.)

Class 1 16 ft. to Less Than 26 ft.

Class 2 26 ft. to Less Than 40 ft.

Class 3 40 ft. to Less Than 65 ft.

Boating Safety Education ID Card (anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating 10 h.p. or more)

Required; also, you must be at least 14 to operate a PWC.

Required

Required

Required

Required

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD): Type I, II, III, or V (one per person)

Required; non-inflatable PFDs must be worn while operating, riding on, or being towed behind a PWC.

Required; any person under 6 must wear a PFD while vessel is underway.

Required; any person under 6 must wear a PFD while vessel is underway.

Required

Required

Throwable Preserver: Type IV (ring or cushion)

Not required

Required

Required

Required

Required

Type B-I Fire Extinguisher

Required

Required; except for an outboard motorboat less than 26 ft. in length if the boat is not

• Carrying passengers for hire

• Constructed so that it will permit entrapment of explosives or flammable gas for vapors

• Equipped with permanently installed fuel tanks.

Required; at least two Type B-I or one Type B-II

Required; at least three Type B-I or one Type B-II plus one Type B-I 

Engine Cutoff Switch Lanyard (must be worn)

Required, if equipped by the manufacturer

Not required, but recommended

Not required, but recommended

Not required, but recommended

Not required, but recommended

Sound Producing Device (bell, horn, or whistle) 

Required

Required

Required

Required

Required

Daytime Visual Distress Signals (coastal waters only) 

Not required

Not required

Required

Required

Required

Nighttime Visual Distress Signals (coastal waters only) 

Not required (night operation prohibited) 

Required; must carry at least three visual distress signals approved for nighttime use if operated between sunset and sunrise. 

Required

Required

Required

Navigation Lights (from sunset to sunrise or during poor visibility) 

Required; PWCs can ONLY be operated one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. 

Required

Required

Required

Required

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