New Jersey Required Boat Safety Equipment

Life Jackets

One Type I, II, III or V Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be carried for each person on board.
Note: An inflatable life jacket must be worn to be considered readily accessible.

PFD's must be worn by anyone under age 12.

Boating Safety Certificate

You need education if you will be operating a motorized vessel in New Jersey. Boating Safety Certificate.

Fire Extinguisher

One Type B-I Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher must be carried when no fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery spaces.

Backfire Flame Arrestor

A Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrestor is required for inboard gasoline motors that are not exposed to the atmosphere above the gunwale level.

Muffling System

An effective muffling system is required for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine.

Ventilation System

All motorboats or motor vessels, except open boats made after 1940 and using gasoline as a fuel must have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from all engine and fuel tank compartment bilges.

Boats built after July 31, 1990, that have a gasoline engine for electrical generation, mechanical power or propulsion must be equipped with an operable ventilation system.

Sound Signaling Devices

A motorboat less than 39.4 feet (12 meters)  must be able to provide a means of making an efficient sound signal, but is not required to carry a whistle or bell. Mouth whistle acceptable. 

Visual Distress Signals (Coastal Waters Only)

Coastal Waters Only. Boats less than 16 feet are only required between sunset and sunrise to carry aboard devices that are suitable for night use. 

Navigation Lights

Boats less than 16 feet are only required to carry aboard devices that are suitable for night use between sunset and sunrise.

Capacity Plate

Required

Noise level compliance

90 DBA, measured at idle with all engines operating, measured not less than 4' above water at a point where transom gunwale and port or starboard gunwale intersect.

Valid Registration

Required if mechanically propelled

Life jackets

One Type I, II, III or V Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket must be carried for each person aboard. Life jackets must be readily accessible and of an appropriate size for the intended wearer.

In addition, the vessel must carry an approved Type IV throw able device, which should be immediately available.

Note: An inflatable life jacket must be worn to be considered readily accessible.

PFD's must be worn by anyone under age 12.

Boating Safety Certificate

You need education if you will be operating a motorized vessel in New Jersey. Boating Safety Certificate.

Fire Extinguisher

One Type B-I Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher must be carried when no fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery spaces.

Backfire Flame Arrestor

A Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrestor is required for inboard gasoline motors that are not exposed to the atmosphere above the gunwale level.

Muffling System

An effective muffling system is required for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine. Unmodified outboards usually meet legal requirements.

Ventilation System

All motorboats or motor vessels, except open boats made after 1940 and using gasoline as a fuel must have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from all engine and fuel tank compartment bilges.

Boats built after July 31, 1990, that have a gasoline engine for electrical generation, mechanical power or propulsion must be equipped with an operable ventilation system.

Sound Signaling Devices

A motorboat less than 9.4 feet (12 meters)  feet must be able to provide a means of making an efficient sound signal, but is not required to carry a whistle or bell. Mouth whistle acceptable. 

Visual Distress Signals (Coastal Waters Only)

Coastal Waters Only. All boats 16 feet or more in length must carry devices aboard at all times. 

Boaters must carry: EITHER

1. • devices that are suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, OR
   • devices that can be used for both day and night use.

Navigation Lights

Navigation lights must be kept in serviceable condition and displayed between sunset and sunrise and at times of restricted visibility. 

Capacity Plate

Required

Noise level compliance

90 DBA, measured at idle with all engines operating, measured not less than 4' above water at a point where transom gunwale and port or starboard gunwale intersect.

Valid Registration

Required if mechanically propelled

Life jackets

One Type I, II, III or V Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket must be carried for each person aboard. Life jackets must be readily accessible and properly fit the intended wearer.

Note: An inflatable life jacket must be worn to be considered readily accessible.

In addition, the vessel must carry an approved Type IV throw able device, which should be immediately available.

PFD's must be worn by anyone under age 12.

Boating Safety Certificate

You need education if you will be operating a motorized vessel in New Jersey. Boating Safety Certificate.

Fire Extinguisher

Three B-I or

One B-I and One B-2 Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher 

With a fixed system in the machinery space, two Type B-I or one Type B-II extinguisher must be carried.

Backfire Flame Arrestor

A Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrestor is required for inboard gasoline motors that are not exposed to the atmosphere above the gunwale level.

Muffling System

An effective muffling system is required for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine. Unmodified outboards usually meet legal requirements.

Ventilation System

All motorboats or motor vessels, except open boats made after 1940 and using gasoline as a fuel must have at least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from all engine and fuel tank compartment bilges. Boats built after July 31, 1990, that have a gasoline engine for electrical generation, mechanical power or propulsion must be equipped with an operable ventilation system.

Sound Signaling Devices

Vessels 39 feet 4 inches (12 meters) or more in length are required to carry a whistle and a bell.

Visual Distress Signals (Coastal Waters Only)

Coastal Waters Only. All boats 16 feet or more in length must carry devices aboard at all times. 

Boaters must carry: EITHER

1. • devices that are suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, OR
   • devices that can be used for both day and night use.

Navigation Lights

Navigation lights must be kept in serviceable condition and displayed between sunset and sunrise and at times of restricted visibility. 

Noise level compliance

90 DBA, measured at idle with all engines operating, measured not less than 4' above water at a point where transom gunwale and port or starboard gunwale intersect.

Valid Registration

Required if mechanically propelled

Personal Flotation Devices

Vessels less than 16 feet in length, and all canoes and kayaks, regardless of length, must carry:

One Type I, II, III, or V Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each person on board. They must be readily accessible and of an appropriate size for the intended wearer.

Vessels 16 feet and over, except canoes and kayaks, must have:

One Type I, II, III, or V Coast Guard-approved wearable device for each person aboard, plus at least

One Type IV throwable device.The throwable device must be kept where it is immediately available. Wearable devices must be of an appropriate size for the intended wearer.

Navigation Lights

All vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during times of restricted visibility. In inland and international waters, sailing vessels under sail alone shall exhibit navigation lights. The tri-colored lantern and the all-round green and red lights should never be used together. A sailing vessel of less than 23 feet (7 meters) in length shall, if practicable, exhibit those lights prescribed, or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. A vessel under oars may display those lights prescribed for sailing vessels or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

Sound Signaling Devices

A vessel of less than 39.4' (12 meters) is not required to carry a whistle or bell, but must be able to provide some other means of making an efficient sound signal.