Connecticut PFD Requirements

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

• In addition to federal laws regarding PFDs, the state of Connecticut requires any person operating or riding on a PWC, as well as any person being towed behind a vessel in any manner (i.e. Water skiing or tubing) to wear a USCG approved type I, II, III or V PFD.
• Inflatable PFD's are not approved for high-impact water sports such as water skiing or riding on a PWC, nor are they approved for children under the age of 16.
• Any person onboard a canoe between October 1st and May 30th are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD.
• The state of Connecticut requires at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV PFD (ring buoy OR seat cushion) on all recreational boats greater than 16 feet in length, in ADDITION to the wearable PFD required for each person onboard all boats. Exceptions to this requirement include the following:
  • Personal Watercraft
  • Canoes and kayaks
  • Inflatable rafts

Children: Any child under the age of 13 must wear a USCG approved wearable PFD whenever onboard a recreational boat that is underway, except when the child is in an enclosed cabin or below decks.