§ 14-15-2-6 — Personal flotation devices

(a) This section does not apply to the
following:
(1) A sailboard or windsurfing board.
(2) A manually propelled boat, such as a racing shell, rowing
scull, or racing kayak:
(A) that is recognized by national or international racing
associations for use in competitive racing;
(B) in which all occupants row, scull, or paddle, with the
exception of a coxswain if a coxswain is provided; and
(C) that is designed to carry and carries equipment only for
competitive racing.
(b) All boats must be equipped with the number and type of
personal flotation devices listed in this subsection. A person may not
operate a boat unless the boat contains:
(1) for each person on board, one (1) personal flotation device
that meets the requirements for designation by the United States
Coast Guard as a wearable personal flotation device; and
(2) for a boat, except a canoe or kayak, at least sixteen (16) feet
in length and in addition to the requirements of subdivision (1),
one (1) personal flotation device that meets the requirements for
designation by the United States Coast Guard as a throwable
personal flotation device.
(c) The director may waive the requirements of this section for a
boat during competition in a boat race for which a permit has been
issued by the department if the following conditions are met:
(1) The sponsor of the boat race has informed the director of the
precautions the sponsor will take to minimize the safety hazards
that exist due to noncompliance with the requirements of this
section.
(2) The sponsor files with the director a document under which
the sponsor assumes all liability that may result from the use of a
boat under the waiver.
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-1-7(a), (c),
(d).]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.38-2000, SEC.2; P.L.24-2001, SEC.1; P.L.111-2016, SEC.9.