Washington Life Vest Laws Changed

A life jacket is now required equipment for every person aboard small boats in Washington.

A change in state boating law no longer allows seat cushions to fill requirements for personal floatation devices.

Regulations require a Type I, II or III personal flotation device for each person on all vessels less than 16 feet long and on all canoes and kayaks of any length.

The rule, which will be enforced beginning May 1, does not apply to float tubes used by fishermen, Washington State Parks officials said.

Boats 16 feet and longer, excluding canoes and kayaks, are not affected by the change and still must have a cushion in addition to wearable life jackets for each person aboard, she said.

Spokane County, however, has an ordinance that goes a step further, requiring all floaters to WEAR their life jackets while going down the Spokane River, said Tom Mattern, sheriff’s department marine officer.