AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/boat-state-child-rule-applies
Your state's child life jacket age differs from the federal rule. Which one applies on that state's waters?
The state's rule replaces the federal one there.
- The state's rule ✔
- The federal rule
- Whichever age is older
Why: 33 CFR 175.25 says when a state has its own law requiring kids of a certain age to wear life jackets, that state rule applies on its waters instead of the federal under 13 rule.
Huh, didn't know that: Alcohol works the same way: a state's own boating blood alcohol limit replaces the federal .08 inside that state.
Why did the life jacket go to law school? It wanted to know the rules of the water.
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References
Answer: The state's rule. 33 CFR 175.25 says when a state has its own law requiring kids of a certain age to wear life jackets, that state rule applies on its waters instead of the federal under 13 rule.
- 33 CFR 175.25 Enforcement of State requirements for children to wear PFDs (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.25
that requirement applies on the waters subject to the State's jurisdiction instead of the requirement provided in § 175.15(c)
Checked 2026-10-08. - 33 CFR 95.025 Adoption of State blood alcohol concentration levels (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-95.025
then that level applies within the geographical boundaries of that State instead of the level provided in § 95.020(a)
Checked 2026-10-08.
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