b'S A F E T Y E Q U I P M E N TPHOTO CREDIT - JEFF MARTINSafety EquipmentConnecticut Life Jacket and Personal FlotationRemember:Device (PFD) LawsSki belts are not legal life jackets.More than 90% of the drowning related boating fatalities may Inflatable life jackets may not be used by persons engaged in have been avoided by wearing a life jacket. high-speed water sports (such as riding PWCs or waterskiing) andThere must be a wearable life jacket on board for each per- may not be used by persons weighing under 90 lbs. or under 16 son aboard every vessel. years of age. Each life jacket must be readily accessible. Inflatable life jackets may be a Type III or V. Check the label toEach life jacket must fit the intended wearer. determine if it must be worn to count as a personal flotation device. If the vessel is required to have a Type IV throwable PFD All vessels 16 feet and over, except kayaks and canoes, must (See table on page 20), it must be immediately available. also carry a Type IV throwable device in addition to the required number of wearable life jackets.Life jackets must:Navigation rules (part of Federal Law) require all vesselsBe U.S. Coast Guard approved. (including manually propelled vessels) to have audible signalingHave a legible label. devices. (See table on page 20). Be of the correct size and fit for the wearer. A life jacket should fit comfortably snug and never cover your face or ride upSound Producing Devicespast your ears.Every vessel of 40 ft. (12.2 meters) or less in length must haveBe in serviceable condition (all straps and buckles must be insome means of making an efficient sound signal. For vessels up good condition and able to perform their jobs; all seams and mate- to 40 feet in length, a handheld whistle, air horn or similar sound rial must be intact). producing devices that is audible formile, may be used. VesselsBe worn by children under 13 years old on any vessel that isgreater than 40 feet must have a power-operated sound producing underway unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin. device that is audible for one mile and a bell. Be worn by anyone operating or riding on a PWC. Be worn by anyone being pulled behind a boat (such as tub- Fire Extinguishersing or skiing).Fires involving burning wood, fabrics and paper (Type A) canBe worn by anyone in a manually propelled vessel from Octo- be put out with water.ber 1 through May 31 (must be Type I, II, II, V or V-hybrid). Most boat fires consist of burning flammable liquids such as oil or gasoline (Type B). Check the table at the beginning of this 2022 Connecticut BOATERS GUIDE17'