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Water and Land Resources in King County, Washington State

Personal Flotation Device Law

Legislation became effective on July 25, 1999, that requires children 12 years of age and under to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when boating on the waters of the state of Washington. The PFD must meet or exceed the United States Coast Guard approval standards and must be worn at all times.

Key elements of the law are:

  • Applies to all children 12 years old or under
  • The PFD, or lifejacket, must be worn on any vessel less than 19 feet in length when underway on the waters of the state when the child is on an open deck or in the open cockpit of a vessel.

A PFD is not required to be worn by a child 12 years of age and under for the following three conditions:

  • When a child is below deck, or in the cabin of a boat with an enclosed cabin.
  • When a child is on a United States Coast Guard inspected passenger-carrying vessel operating on the navigable waters of the United States.
  • When a child is on board a vessel at a time and place when no person would reasonably expect a danger of drowning to occur.

PFDs must be United States Coast Guard approved, in good serviceable condition, and of appropriate size for the intended user. Wearable PFDs must be immediately available for use. Boats less than 16 feet must be equipped with on Type I, II, II or V for each person on board. Boats longer than 16 feet must have wearable PFDs plus one Type IV PFD. If Type V PFD or manually inflated PFD is to be counted toward the minimum requirement, it must be worn.

A violation of the law is an infraction and the fine is $66. Law enforcement officers can contact a recreational vessel as a primary action as no other violation is necessary to be present when contacting the vessel.