← North Carolina boating laws›Life Jacket Rules
North Carolina Life Jacket Rules (2026)
Conditional: In North Carolina, children under 13 years of age must wear an approved life jacket while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet.
ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026
Boating rules change at the state line.Track them in the free LawLert iPhone app and get an alert when you cross into a state where they differ. No account.Get the appIn North Carolina, children under 13 years of age must wear an approved life jacket while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet.
Official source: ncwildlife.gov →
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