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Required Boating Safety Gear

Aug. 23 2023 Safety By Big St. Charles Motorsports

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Just like cars, boats are subject to quite a few safety regulations and laws, and you can receive a ticket or fine if you’re not in accordance with these rules. To ensure your safety on your next boating trip—and avoid being stopped by the coast guard—be sure to read our list below outlining all the required safety gear you’ll need for your boat. 

Personal Flotation Devices

To ensure the safety of you and your passengers, you’ll need to keep a number of different flotation devices on your boat at all times. If your boat is over 16 feet in length, you’ll need to purchase a throwable flotation device as well as 2 wearable flotation devices to have on deck at all times. However, if there are more than 2 passengers aboard your boat, you’re responsible for ensuring that each individual person has a wearable flotation device available to them before you leave the dock. If your boat is less than 16 feet in length you are exempt from having to provide a throwable flotation device, but the rest of the rules regarding wearable flotation devices will still apply. 

Other Safety Accessories 

While laws regarding personal flotation devices and boats are largely the same across the nation, when it comes to other safety devices rules can vary quite a bit from state to state. To ensure you have the right gear for your boat, we recommend looking up the specific rules and regulations for your area. 

That being said, most U.S. states will require you to have one to three Coast Guard-approved fire extinguishers on deck at all times—which may vary depending on the size of your boat—as well as 2 visual signaling devices and one sound signaling device. While there is a wide range of different signaling devices available for you to choose from, we strongly recommend purchasing one that is visible at night, to ensure you don’t ever end up stranded after dark. 

Having trouble finding all the necessary safety accessories required for your boat? Then be sure to stop by our location here in St. Charles, MO, and browse our enormous selection of boating gear, parts, and accessories for sale. Here at Big St. Charles Motorsports we proudly serve the nearby cities of St. Louis and St. Peters, MO, and will be happy to help you find everything you need for an amazing trip out on the water!