Do you need a lifejacket to kayak in New York?
New York. According to New York’s Department of Parks & Recreation: Every recreational vessel, including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, must have one USCG-approved life jacket onboard for each person. Any person being towed behind a vessel aboard any craft must wear a life jacket. For a boat less than 16 feet long, or a canoe or a kayak of any length, you are required to: Everyone on board a personal watercraft (popularly known as “jet skis”) and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.For a boat less than 16 feet long, or a canoe or a kayak of any length, you are required to: Everyone on board a personal watercraft (popularly known as “jet skis”) and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.All Personal Watercraft (PWC) occupants must be wearing a PFD. Any person towed behind a vessel must be wearing a PFD. All persons on any vessel (this includes motor boats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, or rowboats) less than 21 feet, must wear a life jacket from November 1 to May 1 when underway.According to New York’s Department of Parks & Recreation: Every recreational vessel, including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, must have one USCG-approved life jacket onboard for each person. Any person being towed behind a vessel aboard any craft must wear a life jacket.Safety equipment requirements apply to unpowered craft such as kayaks, canoes and it is important that you are carrying suitable safety equipment for your area of operation. A correctly fitted lifejacket must be worn by each person on the vessel.