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Kentucky Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Kentucky requires children under 12 years of age to wear a USCG-approved PFD at all times while underway in an open vessel or on an open deck.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: fw.ky.gov →

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

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Kentucky

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

IllinoisConditional
Illinois requires an approved wearable PFD be worn by each person under age 13 on the deck of, or in an open, watercraft whenever it is underway.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov · Full Illinois rule →
IndianaConditional
Indiana sets no state-specific child-wear age, so the federal rule applies: children under 13 must wear a PFD on a moving vessel under 26 ft; one wearable PFD required per person aboard.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: faqs.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
MissouriConditional
Missouri requires each person under age 7 aboard any watercraft on state waters to wear a USCG-approved PFD (exception for fully enclosed areas such as a houseboat/cruiser cabin).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mshp.dps.missouri.gov · Full Missouri rule →
OhioConditional
Ohio requires any child under 10 years old to wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while aboard a vessel less than 18 feet in length that is underway.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dam.assets.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →
TennesseeConditional
In Tennessee, children 12 and younger must wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD on the open deck of a recreational boat unless anchored, moored, or aground.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
VirginiaConditional
On federal waters (most Virginia waters) any child under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
West VirginiaConditional
West Virginia bars operating a recreational vessel underway with a child under 13 aboard unless the child wears an approved PFD or is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: wvdnr.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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