Life jackets, harnesses and tethers.

What US federal rules say

For recreational boats in the United States, the carriage rules are in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 175. As the eCFR text states them:

• 33 CFR 175.15 requires a Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket (PFD) for each person aboard. Boats 16 ft or longer must also carry a throwable device; canoes and kayaks are excepted.
• Children. Under 175.15(c), children under 13 must wear an approved PFD while the boat is underway unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin. A state's own rule can apply instead in that state's waters.
• Inflatables. Under 175.23, an inflatable counts only if it has a full cartridge, chambers that hold air, a clear oral inflation tube and working status indicators. It does not need to be armed if it is worn already inflated.
• Exemptions. Under 175.17, sailboards are exempt from the federal carriage requirement, as are racing shells and racing canoes and kayaks.

The Coast Guard's boating safety site adds that wearable PFDs must be readily accessible, not sealed in plastic bags or locked away, and recommends wearing one whenever underway even where the law does not require it. State rules can differ, so check the current requirements with your state boating agency and the Coast Guard before you go out.

From Types to Levels

The Cruising Club of America explains that the old Type I to V labels date from the 1970s, with inflatables approved from the mid-1990s. The Coast Guard published new rules adopting a North American standard on December 6, 2024. Boating Magazine reports that the rule took effect January 6, 2025, and that manufacturers could apply for Level 50, 70 and 100 approvals from June 4, 2025, under ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-5 (Levels 50 and 70) and 12402-4 (Level 100).

For jackets you already own, Boating Magazine says the Coast Guard no longer issues new Type approvals, but Type-labeled PFDs remain legal while they are serviceable. Oregon's boating agency also says Type I to V jackets still meet carriage requirements. The new labels use pictures more than text, and Level 50 jackets that only count when worn are clearly marked.

The Levels

The Coast Guard boating site lists Levels 50, 70, 100, 150 and 275, where the number is the minimum buoyancy in newtons. It describes Level 50 as for competent swimmers near shore, and says Levels 150 and 275 turn an unconscious wearer into a safe position. The Cruising Club of America notes that the North American system adds the 70 N level to the ISO levels because most US life jackets provide about that much buoyancy.

Sources disagree on Level 100. The Coast Guard boating site says it is for sheltered water and should not be used in rough water. Boating Magazine describes it as for offshore and coastal use. Read the label and the Coast Guard's guidance for the jacket you are considering.

The Coast Guard's weight categories are adult (over 88 lb), youth (55 to 88 lb), child (33 to 55 lb) and infant (33 lb or less). It says most adults need about 7 to 12 lb of buoyancy to keep their head above water, and advises trying a PFD in the water to make sure the wearer's airway stays clear.

ISO 12402 and sailing outside the US

The Cruising Club of America gives the ISO 12402 levels as 50 N (11.2 lb, buoyancy aid), 100 N (22.4 lb, general boating), 150 N (33.7 lb, offshore) and 275 N (61.8 lb, commercial and professional). In ISO's catalogue, Parts 2 to 5 of the standard cover Levels 275, 150, 100 and 50 in turn.

The RYA lists a buoyancy aid as essential for dinghy sailing and a lifejacket as essential on yachts. PBO recommends a 50 N buoyancy aid rather than an inflatable for dinghies, noting that a 50 N aid will not turn an unconscious wearer face-up and that crotch or thigh straps are best.

Racing

US Sailing's December 2025 statement says its Regulation 10.04 requires a USCG-approved PFD carrying a USCG label at events where US Sailing is the organizing authority, and warns that not every ISO Level 50 jacket meets USCG Level 50. Its 2025.2 nearshore Safety Equipment Requirements, in force for 2026, call for a lifejacket for each crew member with USCG, ISO or other government approval. The SER also lets organizing authorities add or remove items in the Notice of Race, so check that document for your event.

World Sailing's Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) set lifejacket and tether rules for offshore racing. An April 2026 Irish Sailing notice says the OSR were amended for 2026-2027, including the lifejacket section, and we could not find the new wording. We therefore do not summarize the older requirements here. Check the current OSR and your event's documents.

Inflatables

Who they suit

Oregon's boating agency says the Coast Guard does not approve inflatables for users under 16 and that there are no Coast Guard-approved child-size inflatables or hybrids. Boat-Ed says inflatables are not recommended for anyone under 80 lb, for non-swimmers or weak swimmers, or for high-impact sports. The Coast Guard boating site says inflatables come only in adult sizes, do not suit weak swimmers, and in many cases are approved only when worn.

How they inflate

West Marine describes three inflator types. Automatic inflators use a water-soluble bobbin that releases a pin to pierce the CO2 cylinder. Hydrostatic (Hammar) inflators fire on water pressure and are less likely to go off from spray or rain. Manual inflators fire when you pull the tab. In Practical Sailor's 2008 test (updated 2020), now historical, the hydrostatic inflator fired at about 10 cm under water and not in rain or spray, while one automatic vest inflated after about five minutes in rain.

Keeping one serviceable

West Marine says a green indicator shows an inflator is armed and red or missing means it has fired or is not assembled correctly. Practical Sailor's 2008 test reported Halkey-Roberts' own statement that its indicator can show armed when the cylinder is not properly engaged. After any inflation, West Marine says to replace both cylinder and bobbin with parts matched to the vest, and never to refit a pierced cylinder.

Sources disagree on replacement intervals, and all of them say the manufacturer's instructions come first:

• West Marine: automatic bobbins every 2 to 3 years, CO2 cylinders and Hammar caps every 5 years.
• A Cruising Club of America handout: Halkey-Roberts bobbins have a three-year service life.
• Mustang Survival (manufacturer's claim): CO2 cylinders never expire and need replacing only if corroded or damaged. It says a Hammar inflator expires at the end of the year printed on its cap and a Halkey-Roberts bobbin shows month and year, such as EX08/27.

The CCA handout suggests checking before every use that the cylinder is fitted and full, plus a periodic leak test after inflating the vest by mouth. It puts a typical vest's retirement at around 10 years.

Harnesses and tethers

US Sailing's Safety at Sea Committee calls wearing a harness and tether whenever you are on deck the real solution to crew overboard. Offshore racing tether rules come from the OSR, amended for 2026-2027 as noted above. Recovery gear and beacons are covered under beacons and man overboard.