North Carolina Laws for Wearing of Personal Floation Devices :
In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, North Carolina has the following requirements for wearing a PFD:


  • Children under 13 years of age must wear a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD when underway on a
    recreational vessel unless they are below deck or inside an enclosed cabin.

  • Every person on board a personal watercraft (PWC) must wear a Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V PFD.

To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket for
each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and larger must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well.














Children under 13 must wear a PFD underway on recreational boats while underway!
How Do Life Jackets Save Lives?

  • When capsized in rough water.
  • When sinking in unexpectedly heavy sea conditions.
  • When thrown from the boat as a result of a collision.
  • When injured by rocks or submerged objects.
  • When unconscious from carbon monoxide fumes.
  • When tossed into freezing water.
  • When thrown off balance while fishing.
  • When unable to swim because of heavy or waterlogged clothing.