Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Kids under 13, PWC riders, and towed sports must wear life jackets
Paddlecraft must carry one life jacket per person
All life jackets must be USCG-approved and properly sized
Life jacket requirements in Oregon are enforced by the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and based on U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) standards.
Core legal requirements:
Life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard–approved
They must be in good, serviceable condition
They must be appropriately sized for the intended user
All vessels must carry at least one wearable life jacket per person onboard
Boats 16 feet and longer must also carry a throwable Type IV device (excluding kayaks, canoes, and inflatable boats).
Oregon requires certain individuals to wear life jackets under specific conditions:
Children under age 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while on an open deck or cockpit of a boat that is underway.
Exceptions apply for:
Enclosed cabins
When the vessel is at anchor, docked, or aground
Anyone operating or riding a personal watercraft (PWC) such as a Jet Ski or WaveRunner must wear a life jacket at all times, regardless of age.
Individuals being towed behind a boat for activities such as:
Water skiing
Wakeboarding
Tubing
Kneeboarding
Foiling
must wear a life jacket at all times while being towed.
Paddlers are not required to wear life jackets at all times, but Oregon law requires:
One wearable life jacket per person, accessible at all times, and
A whistle or sounding device on paddlecraft
Wearing a life jacket is strongly recommended due to cold-water conditions on many Oregon waterways.
Class III Rapids
A U.S. Coast Guard approved foam wearable life jacket, of appropriate size, and approved for the activity must be worn by the operator and all passengers on all rivers rated Class III or higher.
Stand-up Paddleboards (SUP)
If using a SUP on a river, lake or bay for transportation, and is being used beyond the limits of a designated swim, surfing or bathing area, a SUP is considered a boat. An approved U.S. Coast Guard wearable life jacket that is in good serviceable condition, approved for the activity, and properly fitted to the boater is required to be on board, plus, a whistle.
Sailboards and float tubes are exempt from the requirement to carry any PFD/life jacket.
Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and other non-motorized boats 16 feet in length and over are exempted from the carrying the additional throwable device.
Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks are exempt from carrying any PFD/life jacket, provided the boats are used for competitive racing and carry no equipment not solely for racing.
Don’t use a life jacket, buoyancy aid, or a throwable PFD as a seat cushion, as a kneeling pad, or for other unintended purposes
Before each boating season, manually inflate your inflatable PFDs by using the inflation tube and set aside overnight. If the inflatable is still holding the shape and air, it’s in good condition. If the inflatable is flat in the morning, it may need to be replaced due to air leaking out of it.
The USCG approves five primary categories of life jackets. Oregon recognizes these classifications for compliance:
Type I – Offshore
High buoyancy for open water and rough conditions where rescue may be delayed.
Type II – Near-Shore
Designed for calm, inland waters with quick rescue expectations.
Type III – Flotation Aids
Most popular for recreational boating; comfortable but not optimal for extended survival.
Type IV – Throwable Devices
Cushions, rings, or horseshoe buoys for man-overboard situations (required on larger vessels).
Type V – Special-Use Devices
Includes inflatables and work vests; only count as legal when worn and used as intended.
Inflatable life jackets are permitted for adults when used in accordance with labeling and USCG rules.
Common violations include:
Not having enough life jackets onboard
Having non–USCG-approved devices
Children under 13 not wearing life jackets on open decks
Failure to wear a life jacket while on a PWC
Towed sports participants not wearing life jackets
Violations can result in fines and may escalate for repeat or aggravated offenses.
Even when not legally required, wearing a life jacket substantially increases survival odds in cold or fast-moving water. Good practices include:
Choosing properly fitted jackets for adults and children
Inspecting jackets for rips, broken buckles, or foam deterioration
Keeping jackets readily accessible, not buried under gear
Wearing jackets in cold water, on rivers, and during solo trips
Do adults have to wear life jackets in Oregon?
No. Adults are not required to wear life jackets at all times, but each person must have one available.
Are inflatable life jackets legal in Oregon?
Yes, for adults, if USCG-approved and used according to labeling. They may not be legal for towed sports or PWCs, depending on configuration.
Do paddleboarders need life jackets?
Yes. A USCG-approved life jacket must be onboard and accessible. Wearing it is strongly recommended.
Do life jackets expire?
They do not have a formal expiration date, but they must remain in good, serviceable condition.
Are pets required to wear life jackets?
No, but pet life jackets are recommended, especially on rivers and in cold-water environments.
