New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Saf - Department of Safety
Subtitle Saf-C - Commissioner, Department of Safety
Chapter Saf-C 400 - WATERCRAFT SAFETY RULES
Part Saf-C 403 - EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Section Saf-C 403.01 - Personal Flotation Devices

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Saf-C 403.01

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) No person shall use a boat on the public waters unless it is equipped as follows:

(1) Recreational boats less than 16 feet in length, or canoes, kayaks or one-person sailboats of any length, shall have at least one of the following types on board for each person:
a. Type I PFD;

b. Type II PFD;

c. Type III PFD; or

d. Type V PFD;

(2) Recreational boats 16 feet or more in length, except canoes or kayaks, shall have at least one PFD of the following types on board for each person:
a. Type I PFD;

b. Type II PFD;

c. Type III PFD; or

d. Type V PFD; and

(3) Recreational boats 16 feet or more in length, except canoes or kayaks, shall have at least one Type IV PFD on board in addition to the PFDs required in subparagraph (2) above.

(b) All PFD's shall be:

(1) U.S. Coast Guard approved;

(2) In serviceable condition;

(3) Readily accessible; and

(4) Of an appropriate size, within the weight range and chest sizes marked on the PFD, for the person who intends to wear them.

(c) Racing shells, rowing sculls, and racing kayaks shall be exempt from the requirements of Saf-C 403.01(a)(1), (2) and (3). For the purposes of this rule, "racing shell, rowing scull, and racing kayak" means a manually propelled boat that is recognized by national or international racing associations for use in competitive racing and one in which all occupants row, scull, or paddle, with the exception of a coxswain, if one is provided, and is not designed to carry, and does not carry any equipment not solely for competitive racing.

#2351, eff 4-25-83; ss by #3010, eff 5-2-85; ss by #4562, eff 1-3-89; amd by #4563, eff 1-3-89; amd by #5936, INTERIM, eff 1-3-95, EXPIRES, 5-3-95; ss by #6005, eff 3-24-95, EXPIRED: 3-24-03

New. #7904, INTERIM, eff 6-24-03, EXPIRED: 12-21-03

New. #8093, EMERGENCY, eff 5-28-04, EXPIRES: 11-24-04; ss by #8172, eff 9-21-04; ss by #10293, eff 3-20-13

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