City of Bellingham Municipal Code

12.12.030 - LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT

A. Every boat shall be equipped with the following types of personal flotation devices (PFD) approved by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

1. All recreational boats less than 16' in length and all canoes and kayaks must have one Type I, II, III, or IV device of a suitable size aboard for each person.

2. All recreational boats 16' in length and over must have one Type I, II, or III device of a suitable size aboard for each person, and, in addition, one throwable Type IV device.

1. Type I. Any approved wearable device designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face-down position to a vertical or slightly backward position, and to have more than 20 pounds of buoyancy;

2. Type II. Any approved wearable device designed to turn an unconscious person from a face-down position to a vertical or slightly backward position and to have at least 15.5 pounds of buoyancy;

3. Type III. Any approved wearable device designed to keep a conscious person in a vertical or slightly backward position and to have at least 15.5 pounds of buoyancy;

4. Type IV. Any approved device designed to be thrown to a person in the water, not designed to be worn, and having at least 16.5 pounds of buoyancy such as a buoyant cushion or ring buoy.