Sec 5-331. Personal flotation devices; exceptions

A. All watercraft, except sailboards, shall carry United States coast guard approved personal flotation devices of the type and category prescribed by regulations of the commission. There shall be one such device in good and serviceable condition for each person on board and so placed as to be readily accessible for immediate use.

B. Any person being towed behind a watercraft shall wear a buoyant belt or personal flotation device while being towed except for a performer engaged in a professional exhibition.

C. A child twelve years of age or under on board a watercraft shall wear a United States coast guard approved type I, II or III personal flotation device whenever the watercraft is underway.

D. The provisions of subsection C shall not apply to small passenger vessels that are not for hire on navigable waters, that maintain a coast guard certificate of inspection and that are being operated by United States coast guard licensed pilots within a distance of one-fourth mile from the nearest shore as a means of transporting passengers and when the duration of time the vessel is underway on the water does not exceed ten minutes.