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Pennsylvania Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: 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.

ConditionalVerified Sep 29, 2026

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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.

Official source: pa.gov →

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

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Pennsylvania

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

DelawareConditional
Delaware mandates that all children 12 and under wear a life jacket while underway; all vessels must carry a PFD for each person aboard.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnrec.delaware.gov · Full Delaware rule →
MarylandConditional
Maryland requires all children under age 13 to wear a USCG-approved PFD while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in length.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
New JerseyConditional
New Jersey requires every child 12 years of age or younger aboard a vessel to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (does not apply in an enclosed cabin).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: nj.gov · Full New Jersey rule →
New YorkConditional
In New York, any youth under 12 on a boat 65 feet or less in length must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (does not apply if in a fully enclosed cabin). Separately, from November 1 through May 1, anyone underway in a boat less than 21 feet in length, including canoes, kayaks, rowboats and motorboats, must wear a securely fastened life jacket; commercial vessels are exempt.
Verified Sep 29, 2026 · Source: parks.ny.gov · Full New York 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 →
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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