1. (a) No person may use a recreational boat unless:

   1. (1) At least one wearable United States Coast Guard approved PFD of an appropriate size and type for the person for whom it is intended is on board and readily accessible for each person;
   2. (2) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and
   3. (3) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.

2. (b) A personal flotation device required by subsection (a)(1) of this section is readily accessible if:

   1. (1) It is being worn; or

      1. (B) It is out of its original packaging; and
      2. (C) It is not under lock and key.

      (2)(A) It is stowed in close proximity to the operator of the vessel and in a position to be quickly thrown to a person overboard by either the operator or a passenger;

3. (c) No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length, except a canoe or kayak, unless one United States Coast Guard approved throwable PFD, such as a ring life buoy or buoyant cushion, is onboard, so placed as to be immediately available, in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in subsection (a) of this section. A throwable PFD required by this subsection is immediately available if:

   1. (1) It is stowed in close proximity to the operator of the vessel and in a position to be quickly thrown to a person overboard by either the operator or a passenger; and
   2. (2) It is out of its original packaging; and
   3. (3) It is not under lock and key.

Except as provided in Section 6565.6:

Note: Authority cited: Sections 652, 658.3 and 669, Harbors and Navigation Code. Reference: Section 652, Harbors and Navigation Code; and Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 175.17.

History

1. New section filed 8-26-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 35).

2. Editorial correction of Note filed 10-11-85 (Register 85, No. 41).

3. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (a)(1)-(a)(3) filed 7-2-92 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 92, No. 28).

4. Editorial correction of printing errors (Register 92, No. 28).

5. Amendment of section and Note filed 7-24-96; operative 8-23-96 (Register 96, No. 30).

6. Amendment filed 6-17-2025; operative 6-17-2025 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2025, No. 25).