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Connecticut Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Connecticut requires any child 12 years of age and under aboard a recreational vessel to wear a PFD while the vessel is underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

ConditionalVerified Sep 30, 2026

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Connecticut requires any child 12 years of age and under aboard a recreational vessel to wear a PFD while the vessel is underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. Separately, from October 1 through May 31, all persons on board a manually propelled vessel must wear a Type I, II, III or V U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD.

Official source: portal.ct.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Connecticut

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

MassachusettsConditional
Massachusetts requires PFDs be worn by youth under 12 years of age (as well as PWC users, water skiers, and canoeists/kayakers Sept 15-May 15).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mass.gov · Full Massachusetts rule →
New YorkConditional
In New York, any youth under 12 on a boat 65 feet or less in length must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (does not apply if in a fully enclosed cabin). Separately, from November 1 through May 1, anyone underway in a boat less than 21 feet in length, including canoes, kayaks, rowboats and motorboats, must wear a securely fastened life jacket; commercial vessels are exempt.
Verified Sep 29, 2026 · Source: parks.ny.gov · Full New York rule →
Rhode IslandConditional
Rhode Island requires any child under 13 in a recreational vessel less than 65 feet to wear a USCG-approved PFD when underway, unless below deck or in a closed cabin (R.I. Gen. Laws 46-22-9.2).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov · Full Rhode Island rule →

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