← New York boating laws›Life Jacket Rules

New York Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: In New York, any youth under 12 on a boat 65 feet or less in length must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (does not apply if in a fully enclosed cabin).

ConditionalVerified Sep 29, 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 app

In New York, any youth under 12 on a boat 65 feet or less in length must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket (does not apply if in a fully enclosed cabin). Separately, from November 1 through May 1, anyone underway in a boat less than 21 feet in length, including canoes, kayaks, rowboats and motorboats, must wear a securely fastened life jacket; commercial vessels are exempt.

Official source: parks.ny.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Don't get caught off guardCross into a state where this law is different and the free iPhone app tells you what changed, even with the app closed. It also alerts you when a law you track changes where you live. No account.Get the free app
Track this law — get alerted when it changes

We watch the official sources behind New York boating rules. If a tracked rule changes, you get one short email — never more than one a week. Free, unsubscribe anytime.

LawLert is an independent app, not affiliated with any government — informational only, not legal advice. Verify with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.