Missouri's minimum requirements for specific equipment and documents to carry on board while the vessel is in use include:

Your Missouri Boater's Certificate / Card (Only for boaters born after January 1, 1984)

Your Photo ID

Certificate of Registration Number (To deter theft, don't leave it on the boat)

Personal Flotation Devices: Coast Guard approved Type I, II and III in appropriate sizes for all on board.

PFDs Type IV - Cushions & Life Ring Buoys are only required to be aboard boats longer than 15' 11".

PFDs Type V - Inflatable life jackets are not for use by children or Personal Watercraft riders.

Ignition Safety Switch must be installed on all PWCs

Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher for boats less than 26' long. (Requirements differ for boats over 25' 11”)

Flame Arrestor on each carburetor (For gas-powered motors excluding outboards)

Ventilation System – at least 2 ventilation ducts fitted with cowls must be properly installed

Muffler – all engines must have a working muffler. (Boat noise must not prevent sound signals from being heard) On the waters of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and all Missouri lakes with a shoreline in excess of 160 miles, boats must not exceed 68 Decibels within 50 feet from shore.

Horn, Whistle Or Bell – (For vessels over 16 feet) Must be audible for ½ to 1 ½ miles depending on the size of your boat.

Daytime Visual Distress Signals for motorized, recreational boats over 15' 11” and non-powered boats over 25' 11” (Pyrotechnic devices and an orange flag)

Diver Down Flags (Boaters must not get within 100 feet of a Diver Down flag)

Night Time Visual Distress Signals (Flares, meteors, electric lights)

Navigation Lights (Required to be used from sunset to sunrise and in low visibility)

Personal Flotation devices (PFDs)

Enough can not be said about the importance of wearing life jackets. Most boating fatalities are the result of victims not wearing a life jacket. Federal law requires every boat to be equipped with an adequate supply of good quality Coast Guard approved Life Jackets available in sizes that fit every passenger and crew member properly.

Missouri's Life Jacket regulations are state-specific regarding when, where and who is required by law to wear a Life Jacket.

• All children under 7 years old must wear a life jacket while in the open portion of a boat on Missouri waters.
• Anyone being towed on skis, a tube, wake board or the like.
• Anyone riding on a Personal Watercraft (PWC) and

In addition to abiding the law, PFDs should ALWAYS be worn by:

• Children of all ages
• Windsurfers
• Everyone on the boat during rough weather
• Everyone on the boat during heavy water traffic
• Anyone who cannot swim
• You! Especially when you're boating alone