Required Safety Equipment

• Life Jackets
  A properly fitting and serviceable jacket for every person on board.
• Fire Extinguisher
  It must be a Coast Guard-approved B1 model.
• Throwable
  Boats over 16 feet must carry a throwable device.
• Signaling Device
  A bell, whistle, or horn to warn other boaters.
• Visual Distress Signal
  Photo of a hand flare

For boats under 16 feet, this is required only at night; for boats over 16 feet, this is required both day and night. Different rules apply on small bodies of water, but it’s always wise to carry them.