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Ohio Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: 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.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: dam.assets.ohio.gov →

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

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Ohio

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 →
KentuckyConditional
Kentucky requires children under 12 years of age to wear a USCG-approved PFD at all times while underway in an open vessel or on an open deck.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MichiganConditional
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.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: michigan.gov · Full Michigan rule →
PennsylvaniaConditional
Pennsylvania requires all children 12 and younger to wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or less and on all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Separately, from November 1 through April 30, every person on board a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or any boat less than 16 feet in length must wear a life jacket.
Verified Sep 29, 2026 · Source: pa.gov · Full Pennsylvania rule →
West VirginiaConditional
West Virginia bars operating a recreational vessel underway with a child under 13 aboard unless the child wears an approved PFD or is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: wvdnr.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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