Wearing of personal flotation device by passenger less than 12 years of age: Duty of person who operates, owns or controls vessel; exceptions.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person shall not operate or authorize another person to operate a vessel under his ownership or control on any waters of this state unless each person on the vessel who is less than 12 years of age is wearing a personal flotation device of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard and prescribed by the regulations of the Commission while the vessel is under way.
2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to persons on board:
(a) A commercial vessel licensed by the United States Coast Guard for the transportation of passengers for hire; or
(b) Any other vessel who are below the deck or inside a cabin of the vessel.
Last modified: February 25, 2006