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Michigan Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Michigan requires all children under 6 years of age to wear a USCG-approved Type I or II PFD when riding on the open deck of any vessel while underway.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: michigan.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Michigan

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IndianaConditional
Indiana sets no state-specific child-wear age, so the federal rule applies: children under 13 must wear a PFD on a moving vessel under 26 ft; one wearable PFD required per person aboard.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: faqs.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
OhioConditional
Ohio requires any child under 10 years old to wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while aboard a vessel less than 18 feet in length that is underway.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dam.assets.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
WisconsinConditional
Federal law (enforced in Wisconsin) requires children under 13 to wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway in an open vessel.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov · Full Wisconsin rule →

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