NYS 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

As of January 1, 2020, New York law will require all boat operators to carry the New York boating safety certificate. This law will be phased in over six years.

Fire Extinguisher

One Type B-I Coast Guard-approved fire 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.

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 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)

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

Navigation Lights

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

Anchor & line

Required if mechanically propelled.

Capacity Plate

Required

Muffled Exhaust

Required

Noise level compliance

90 dB Stationary, 75 db underway for all vessel with above water exhaust.

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

As of January 1, 2020, New York law will require all boat operators to carry the New York boating safety certificate. This law will be phased in over six years.

Fire Extinguisher

One Type B-I Coast Guard-approved fire 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

A motorboat less than 39 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)

All boats 16 feet or more in length must carry devices aboard at all times. Boaters must carry either of the following devices that are suitable for day or night use:

• Hand red Flare, distress signals

• Floating orange smoke distress signals (day)

• Pistol projected parachute red flare distress signals

• Hand-held rocket-propelled parachute red

• Hand-held orange smoke distress signals (day only)

• Distress signal for boats, red aerial pyrotechnic flare

• Orange flag (day)

• Electric distress light for boat (night)

Navigation Lights

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

Anchor & line

Required if mechanically propelled.

Capacity Plate

Required

Muffled Exhaust

Required

Noise level compliance

90 dB Stationary, 75 db underway for all vessel with above water exhaust.

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

As of January 1, 2020, New York law will require all boat operators to carry the New York boating safety certificate. This law will be phased in over six years.

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)

All boats 16 feet or more in length must carry devices aboard at all times. Boaters must carry either of the following devices that are suitable for day or night use:

• Hand red Flare, distress signals

• Floating orange smoke distress signals (day)

• Pistol projected parachute red flare distress signals

• Hand-held rocket-propelled parachute red

• Hand-held orange smoke distress signals (day only)

• Distress signal for boats, red aerial pyrotechnic flare

• Orange flag (day)

• Electric distress light for boat (night)

Navigation Lights

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

Anchor & line

Required if mechanically propelled.

Muffled Exhaust

Required

Noise level compliance

90 dB Stationary, 75 db underway for all vessel with above water exhaust.

Valid Registration

Required if mechanically propelled