Life Jackets Laws in Utah

Utah is a good place to take your boat out on the water and have some fun. Often times in the excitement of the warm weather and good times, safety is not the first thought on the minds of boaters. Safety is the single most important thing in any boating outing. Prepare and protect yourself in case of an emergency. Alarming statistics read that that 80% of all deaths related to recreational boating could have been prevented with a life jacket. There are five types of PFDs. Type I PFD have the most buoyancy and will turn a victim face up if they have fallen unconscious. Type II will help rotate most unconscious victims face up. Type III is designed for the wearer to bring themselves above water surface. Type IV is thrown and not worn. These are launched to the victim in the water to be held on to. Type V is special use devices. These are used for specific activities.

Life jacket laws in Utah stipulates all recreational boats must have a US Coast Guard approved PFD, any type. It must be kept in a readily accessible area and visible. Good serviceable conditioning is required..

According to life jacket laws in Utah, all boating operators and passengers on a personal watercraft (PWC) must wear a PFD. Children aged 12 years and younger must also have a Type I, II, III or V PFD. The exception is when they are in a cabin on a 19 feet or longer boat. Boats 16 feet or longer are required to stock a type IV throwable PFD.

Some US Coast Guard complaint life jackets are able to be inflated and are considered Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type V. These tend to be comfortable for long wear. Some inflate orally and others automatically underwater. Please familiarize yourself with how to inflate these devices. Passengers and drivers of a PWC may not wear this type of PFD. Also, children 13 years old and younger who are riding in a craft that is towed behind a boat may NOT use this type of device.

Life jacket laws in Utah are not hard to abide by. These regulation are in place to ensure that all boating participates are safe in case of an unforeseen event or emergency. Protect yourself, your family and your friends when you are out on the water enjoying yourselves. Safety is the uppermost priority. Wear your life jacket. It’s the law.