1. (1) As used in this rule:

   1. (a) Personal Flotation Device or PFD means a device that is approved by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard under 46 CFR Part 160, as published in the July 1, 2024, edition of the Code of Federal Regulations.
   2. (b) Throwable PFD or Not Wearable PFD means a PFD that is intended to be thrown to a person in the water, such as a ring buoy or cushion. Unless specifically marked otherwise, a wearable PFD is not a throwable PFD.
   3. (c) Wearable PFD means a PFD that is intended to be worn or otherwise attached to the body.
   4. (d) Inflatable PFD means a PFD that depends on inflated compartments for buoyancy and is designed to support a specified number of persons completely out of the water.

2. (2) No person may use a recreational vessel unless:

   1. (a) At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person and each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements specified on the approval label and owner’s manual if the approval label refers to such manual.
   2. (b) If the recreational vessel is 16 feet or more in length, one throwable PFD is onboard in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in paragraph (a) of this section. VESSELS AND NAVIGATION RULES Canoes and kayaks 16 feet or more in length are exempted from the requirements for carriage of the additional throwable PFD.
3. (3) The operator of a vessel, when carrying passengers for hire, shall provide a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board, and unless the service is such that children are never carried, with an additional number of approved life jackets suitable for children equal to at least 10 percent of the total number of persons carried.
4. (4) All PFDs carried on board vessels operating within the state shall be in good and serviceable condition, and of an appropriate size for the persons who intend to wear them. Wearable PFDs shall be readily accessible and throwable devices shall be immediately available for use.

5. (5) A PFD is considered to be in serviceable condition only if the following conditions are met:

   1. (a) No PFD may exhibit deterioration that could diminish the performance of the PFD, including—

      1. 1. Metal or plastic hardware used to secure the PFD on the wearer that is broken, deformed, or weakened by corrosion;
      2. 2. Webbings or straps used to secure the PFD on the wearer that are ripped, torn, or which have become separated from an attachment point on the PFD; or
      3. 3. Any other rotted or deteriorated structural component that fails when tugged.

   2. (b) In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, no inherently buoyant PFD, including the inherently buoyant components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, may exhibit—

      1. 1. Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large enough to allow the loss of buoyant material;
      2. 2. Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or mildew; or
      3. 3. Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not securely held in position.

   3. (c) In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, an inflatable PFD, including the inflatable components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, must be equipped with—

      1. 1. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, a properly armed inflation mechanism, complete with a full inflation medium cartridge and all status indicators showing that the inflation mechanism is properly armed;
      2. 2. Inflatable chambers that are all capable of holding air;
      3. 3. Oral inflation tubes that are not blocked, detached, or broken;
      4. 4. A manual inflation lanyard or lever that is not inaccessible, broken, or missing; and
      5. 5. Inflator status indicators that are not broken or otherwise non-functional. VESSELS AND NAVIGATION RULES
   4. (d) The inflation system of an inflatable PFD need not be armed when the PFD is worn inflated and otherwise meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section.

6. (6) Exemptions:

   1. (a) Racing shells, rowing sculls, and racing paddlecraft are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any wearable or throwable PFD.

      1. 1. This exemption only applies to racing shells, rowing sculls, and racing paddlecraft when competing in an organized or sanctioned race or training program approved by a national or international body, or by appropriate permit, and where adequate safety precautions are in place.
      2. 2. Paddlecraft means a vessel powered only by its occupants, using a single or double bladed paddle as a lever without the aid of a fulcrum provided by oarlocks, thole pins, crutches, or similar arrangements.
   2. (b) Sailboards are exempted from the requirements for any carriage of any Type PFD. A sailboard means a sail propelled vessel with no freeboard and equipped with a swivel mounted mast not secured to a hull by guys or stays.
   3. (c) Vessels of the United States used by foreign competitors while practicing for or racing in competition are exempted from these carriage requirements provided the vessel carries one of the sponsoring foreign country’s acceptable flotation devices for each foreign competitor on board.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 69-9-209, 69-9-502, and 70-1-206. Administrative History: Original rule certified May 8, 1974. Amendment filed March 2, 1978; effective April 1, 1978. Amendment filed May 19, 1980; effective July 3, 1980. Amendment filed May 27, 1983; effective June 27, 1983. Amendment filed September 26, 1996; effective December 10, 1996. Amendments filed March 31, 2017; effective June 29, 2017. Amendments filed April 2, 2026; effective July 1, 2026.