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West Virginia Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: 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.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: wvdnr.gov →

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

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering West Virginia

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

KentuckyConditional
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.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandConditional
Maryland requires all children under age 13 to wear a USCG-approved PFD while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in length.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov · Full Maryland 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 →
PennsylvaniaConditional
Pennsylvania requires all children 12 and younger to wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or less and on all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Separately, from November 1 through April 30, every person on board a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or any boat less than 16 feet in length must wear a life jacket.
Verified Sep 29, 2026 · Source: pa.gov · Full Pennsylvania 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 →

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