---
title: Florida PFD requirements - USCG-approved Type
description: PFDs and lifejackets are available in a wide range of approved types, sizes and colours. Which agency approves PFD's? Children under the age of 6...
image: https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/courses/pcoc2021/images/personal-floating-device-hr.png
---

## Which agency approves PFD's in Florida?

![approves PFD's in Florida](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/pcoc2021/images/inflatable-pfd-hr-2.png?width=619&height=619&name=inflatable-pfd-hr-2.png)

When buying a Personal Flotation Device, look for a **USCG-approved**** stamp or label.** You must have a PFD that fits each person on your boat. 

## Florida PFD requirements

Florida state law requires every vessel to carry **one wearable PFD for each person on board.**

It is also mandatory that all **USCG-approved ****PFD be readily and easily accessible.** They may not be kept inside a plastic bag or protective covering. Inflatable PFD are only considered readily available while being worn.

Children under 6 years of age must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III PFD at all times while on any vessel less than 26 feet in length that is underway. In addition, each person on board a PWC, and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a USCG-approved PFD.

**USCG-approved PFD must be kept in serviceable condition. **

**What is USCG meaning of serviceable condition for life jackets?**

This implies that every PFD must be in optimal working condition to ensure its effectiveness in emergency situations.

**If they are badly damaged, discolored, torn, rotted, punctured, or otherwise unserviceable they no longer meet legal requirements and must be replaced.**

All PFD must be worn in compliance with the USCG labeling on the PFD (regarding the weight and age of the wearer, activities it is suitable for etc.)

 

 

![Florida PFD requirements](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2024/images/images-transparentes/pfd-tag-us-on-pfd-type-5-bk.png?width=1100&height=907&name=pfd-tag-us-on-pfd-type-5-bk.png)

## What equipment must be on board if your vessel is 16 feet or longer?

![USCG-approved throwable (Type IV) PFD](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2022/images/images-transparentes/pfd-v.png?width=1100&height=442&name=pfd-v.png)

Vessels 16 feet in length or longer must also additionally carry at least one USCG-approved throwable (Type IV) PFD that is immediately available in case somebody should fall overboard.

## Children's Life Jacket Rules and Requirements?

**Children under the age of 6 must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III PFD while on board a vessel under 26 feet in length while the vessel is underway.  **“Underway” is defined as anytime except when the vessel is anchored, moored, made fast to the shore, or aground.

Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved PFD in federal waters while underway unless below deck or within an enclosed cabin. Federal waters start 3 nautical miles from shore in the Atlantic Ocean or where the Gulf Stream starts, whichever distance is greater, and 9 nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico.

## PFD for a person being towed

Anyone being towed behind a boat must wear a Type I, II, or III USCG approved life jacket (inflatable PFD are not allowed for this activity).

- [** Follow Ace Boater on YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJABNcQHyTGe3ta_lZJ4exw)
- [** Join Ace Boater on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/AceBoater)
- [** Contacts Us ](https://aceboater.com/usa/en/contact)

[![Ace Boater - Boating license and exam online](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/aceboater/brand/ace-boater.svg)](https://aceboater.com/en-us)

#### Boating safety course and boating exam accredited in USA

[↑](https://aceboater.com/en-us/florida-pfd-requirements#top)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "WebPage",
  "breadcrumb" : {
    "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
    "itemListElement" : [ {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "/en-us",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Home"
      },
      "position" : 1
    }, {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/en-us/florida",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Florida Boating License"
      },
      "position" : 2
    }, {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/en-us/florida-required-boat-safety-equipment",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Florida Required Boat Safety Equipment"
      },
      "position" : 3
    }, {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/en-us/florida-pfd-requirements",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Florida PFD requirements - USCG-approved Type"
      },
      "position" : 4
    } ]
  },
  "dateModified" : "2024-05-13T09:18:22.488-0400",
  "datePublished" : "2022-04-12T13:37:13.000-0400",
  "description" : "PFDs and lifejackets are available in a wide range of approved types, sizes and colours. Which agency approves PFD's? Children under the age of 6...",
  "headline" : "Florida PFD requirements - USCG-approved Type",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "url" : "https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/courses/pcoc2021/images/personal-floating-device-hr.png"
  },
  "lastReviewed" : "2024-05-13T09:18:22.488-0400",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/aceboater/brand/ace-boater.svg"
    },
    "name" : "E.S.N.N.A. Inc."
  },
  "url" : "https://aceboater.com/en-us/florida-pfd-requirements"
}
```