What type of boat must carry a throwable personal flotation device (PFD)?

A throwable personal flotation device (PFD) is required on boats that are 16 feet in length or longer because these vessels are generally capable of carrying more passengers and may operate in conditions where the risk of falling overboard is higher. The throwable PFD is designed for rescue, allowing someone to toss it to a person in the water, increasing their chances of survival until help arrives.

Boats that are shorter than 16 feet typically have different safety requirements and may be equipped with wearables, such as life jackets, which are more suitable for the limited number of passengers and activities on smaller vessels. Personal watercraft, while requiring specific safety gear, follow a different guideline and do not need a throwable PFD in the same way larger boats do. All boats must have enough personal flotation devices for each passenger onboard, but the throwable requirement specifically targets larger vessels to enhance safety measures for potential emergencies.