SAFETY EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

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Vessel Safety Checks

This list shows the required safety equipment that must be onboard your boat. This is a general list; in some cases there are more specific requirements. Please read our brochure, Highlights from Utah's Boating Laws and Rules, for more specifics about laws and rules. Because the equipment requirements vary depending on the size of the boat, you may need additional types, sizes, and quantities of specific pieces of safety equipment. Please also take a look at the second list of recommended optional equipment, at the bottom of the page. (PFD means Personal Flotation Device, and PWC means Personal Watercraft)

Required Boating Safety Equipment

Checklist Item	Under 16 feet long	16 to less than 26 feet	26 feet and longer
Display of Registration Decals	Yes (a)	Yes (a)	Yes (a)
Registration Card On Board	Yes (a)	Yes (a)	Yes (a)
Display of Bow Numbers	Yes (b)	Yes (b)	Yes (b)
Fire Extinguisher	Yes (c)	Yes (c)	Yes (c)(d)(e)
Spare Propulsion	Yes	Yes for vessels under 21' recommended for others	Recommended
Bailing Device	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sound Producing Device	Strongly Recommended	Yes	Yes (f)
One Life Jacket for Each Person On Board (kids under 13 wearing)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Type IV Throwable Floatation Device (PFD)	Strongly Recommended	Yes	Yes
Proper Navigation Lights	Yes	Yes	Yes
Meets Noise/Muffler Requirements	Yes	Yes	Yes
Adequate Ventilation	Yes	Yes	Yes
Approved Flame Arrestor	Yes (g)	Yes (g)	Yes (g)
Capacity Plate Displayed	Yes (h)	Yes for vessels under 20' (h) manufacturer's option for 20'+	Manufacturer's Option
Hull Identification Number (HIN)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Proof of Liability Insurance	Yes, for PWCs and motorboats with 50 hp or greater engines	Yes, for motorboats with 50 hp or greater engines	Yes, for motorboats with 50 hp or greater engines
(a) Required for all registered vessels. Registration is required for all motorized and sailing vessels. (b) Required for all registered vessels except U.S. Coast Guard documented vessels. (c) Not required for outboard motorboats of open construction; however they are recommended for all motorboats. (d) Vessels 26 ft to 40 ft must carry two B-I or one B-II fire extinguisher(s). (e) Vessels 40 ft and longer must carry three B-I or one B-I and one B-II fire extinguisher(s). (f) Vessels 40 ft and longer must carry a bell in addition to a horn or whistle. (g) Required for inboard gasoline engines equiped with a carburetor. (h) Vessels exempt from this requirement include: sailboats, canoes, kayaks, inflatable vessels, and vessels manufactured prior to 1973.

Recommended Optional Equipment

Flashlight
First Aid Kit
Boarding Ladder
Tool Kit
Extra Rope (Line)
Anchor with line
Visual Distress Signals
Spare Spark Plugs
Spare Bilge Plug(s)
Spare Propeller(s)
Copy of the Navigation Rules
Additional Life Jackets
Additional Bailing Bucket
VHF Marine Band Radio