Paddleboaridng and Life vests

My husband recently got stopped by the sheriff's office for not having a lifevest with him while paddle boarding.  He was up in arms as he was certain that adults did not have to wear life vests. ...Turns out he was wrong. Here's a summary of California's law surrounding them:

California has strict life vest (personal flotation device or PFD) laws designed to protect boaters, especially children, from drowning accidents. These laws apply to recreational boating activities on all state waters and are enforced by agencies such as the California Division of Boating and Waterways and local marine patrol units. Life vest laws are guided by both state regulations and federal U.S. Coast Guard standards.

General Requirements
In California, every boat must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person onboard. These life jackets must be the appropriate type, size, and fit for the intended user, and they must be in good, serviceable condition. For most recreational boats, this means a wearable life vest (Types I, II, III, or V) must be onboard for each person.

In addition, boats 16 feet and longer (except for canoes and kayaks) must also carry at least one throwable flotation device (Type IV), such as a ring buoy or cushion.

Children’s Life Vest Law
California law requires that children under 13 years of age must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while aboard a moving vessel that is 26 feet or less in length. This rule applies whether the child is inside a cabin or on deck. Exceptions are made when the child is in an enclosed cabin or on a sailboat that is not under way.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) and Towed Sports
Anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft (e.g., Jet Ski) must wear a properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times, regardless of age. Similarly, individuals being towed behind a boat—such as water-skiers, wakeboarders, or tubers—must wear a life jacket while participating in the activity.
The life jackets worn during these activities must be of a high-impact rating (typically Type III or V), as they need to stay secure during falls at high speeds.

Kayaks, Canoes, and Paddleboards
Paddlers using kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), or rowboats are also subject to California’s life vest requirements. While adults are not required to wear a life jacket while paddling, a properly sized life jacket must be onboard for each person. Children under 13, however, must wear their life jacket at all times while underway.

Enforcement and Penalties
Failure to comply with California’s life vest laws can result in citations, fines, and in some cases, more serious legal consequences if an accident occurs. Law enforcement officers may board and inspect vessels to ensure compliance.

Safety Recommendations
​While the law only mandates life jacket wear in certain conditions, the California Division of Boating and Waterways strongly encourages all boaters to wear life vests at all times, especially in cold water or rough conditions. Most drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket, even when one was onboard.

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