Required Equipment for North Carolina Boaters |
Safe Boat Operation begins by making sure your boat and required equipment are together and in good working order before you get out on the water.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadron will provide a free boat safety check for any recreational boat.
Both programs will verify all safety equipment is on board and in good working condition. You can qualify for a safety decal if you meet certain requirements. Visit U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron websites for additional details. |
North Carolina's minimum requirements for specific equipment and documents to carry on board while the vessel is in use include:
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Your North Carolina Boater's Certificate / Card (Only for boaters under 26 years old) 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.
In addition to abiding the law, PFDs should ALWAYS be worn by:
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