OAR 250-010-0154
Personal Flotation Devices

(1) A person must not operate a boat on the waters of this state unless:
(a) At least one wearable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is on board for each person; and
(b) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approved label; and
(c) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner’s manual, if the approved label makes reference to such a manual.

(2)

A person must not operate a boat 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is on board in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in section (1) of this rule.

(3)

A person must not operate a boat on the waters of this state with a child age 12 and under, unless the child is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, of the appropriate size, while the boat is underway. For the purpose of ORS 830.215 (Personal flotation devices), a personal flotation device shall not be considered “readily accessible” for children age 12 and under unless the device is worn while the boat is underway. The PFD must be worn at all times by a child age 12 and under whenever the boat is underway and the child is on an open deck or open cockpit of the vessel. The following circumstances are excepted:

(a)

While the child is below deck, or in the cabin of a boat with enclosed cabin.

(b)

While a child is on a sailboat and tethered by means of a lifeline or harness attached to the sailboat.

(c)

While a child is on a U.S. Coast Guard inspected passenger-carrying vessel operating on the navigable waters of the United States.

(4)

Canoes and kayaks 16 feet in length and over are exempted from the requirements for carriage of the additional throwable PFD.

(5)

Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes and racing kayaks are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any PFD. Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks are manually propelled vessels that are recognized by national or international racing associations for use in competitive racing an in which all occupants row, scull, or paddle, with the exception of a coxswain, if one is provided, and are not designed to carry and do not carry any equipment not solely for competitive racing.

(6)

A person must not operate a personal watercraft (PWC), as defined in OAR 250-021-0020 (Definitions), unless each person operating or riding on the vessel is wearing an inherently buoyant Coast Guard approved wearable PFD that does not have a limitation or restriction on its approval that would prevent its use on a PWC.

(7)

Exemptions:

(a)

Sailboards are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any PFD.

(b)

Float tubes as defined in OAR 250-010-0010 (Definitions) are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any PFD.

(8)

A properly secured wearable PFD must be worn by persons in a boat while navigating sections of river with a commonly accepted scale of river difficulty rated Class III or higher. The personal flotation devices worn by boaters must:

(a)

Be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard as a wearable personal flotation device.
(b) Not have a limitation or restriction on its approval that would prevent its use on whitewater rivers.
(c) Not be an inflatable personal flotation device.

Source: Rule 250-010-0154 — Personal Flotation Devices, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=250-010-0154.

250‑010‑0010
Definitions 250‑010‑0025
Basic Rule for “Slow–No Wake” 250‑010‑0030
Application for Certificate of Number and Title 250‑010‑0040
Oregon Boat Numbering System 250‑010‑0051
Definition of “Operate” and “Otherwise Use a Boat on Water” 250‑010‑0053
Safety Inspections 250‑010‑0055
Certificates of Boat Title 250‑010‑0058
Refunds 250‑010‑0059
Reinstatement Fee 250‑010‑0060
Report of Transfer, Abandonment or Wrecking of a Boat, Change of Address, Late Penalty Fees 250‑010‑0065
County Use Permit Programs 250‑010‑0075
Boating Safety/Education Assistance Program 250‑010‑0085
Capacity Plates 250‑010‑0095
Application for Marine Events 250‑010‑0097
Application for Special Use Device Permits 250‑010‑0110
Investigation of Accidents 250‑010‑0121
Mufflers 250‑010‑0122
Carburetors 250‑010‑0125
Ventilation 250‑010‑0150
Exemptions 250‑010‑0152
Use of Sirens Prohibited by Other Than Expressly Authorized Peace Officers 250‑010‑0154
Personal Flotation Devices 250‑010‑0155
Fire Extinguishers 250‑010‑0156
Sound Signaling Appliances 250‑010‑0160
Board Not to Approve Products of Manufacturers 250‑010‑0164
Visual Distress Signals 250‑010‑0201
Uniform Waterway Marking System 250‑010‑0206
Waterway Marker Permits Required and Exemptions 250‑010‑0215
Application for Waterway Marker Permit 250‑010‑0225
Waterway Marker Placement Conditions 250‑010‑0230
Transfer of Ownership of Waterway Markers 250‑010‑0235
Discontinuance and Removal of Waterway Markers 250‑010‑0240
Characteristics of Waterway Markers 250‑010‑0245
Buoy Standards 250‑010‑0255
Sign Standards 250‑010‑0260
Standards for Letter or Numeral Elements of Markers 250‑010‑0265
Standards for Mooring Buoys 250‑010‑0270
Standards for Swim Area Markers 250‑010‑0275
The “Divers” Flag 250‑010‑0300
Floating Home/Boathouse Registration and Titling 250‑010‑0310
Certificate of Registration and Title for a Floating Home or Boathouse 250‑010‑0320
Oregon Floating Home/Boathouse Registration Numbering System 250‑010‑0325
Report of Transfer, Abandonment, or Wrecking of Floating Home/Boathouse or Change of Address 250‑010‑0410
Definitions 250‑010‑0420
Officer Report 250‑010‑0430
Chemical Analyses 250‑010‑0440
Qualifications and Training of Breath Test Equipment Operators 250‑010‑0470
Breath Testing Equipment Approval 250‑010‑0500
Offender Education Program Administration 250‑010‑0510
Definitions 250‑010‑0520
Content 250‑010‑0530
Implementation 250‑010‑0540
Fees 250‑010‑0550
Qualified Courses 250‑010‑0560
Completion Certificate 250‑010‑0650
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit 250‑010‑0660
Watercraft Inspection Stations 250‑010‑0700
Flotation Encapsulation Rules 250‑010‑0705
Materials and Methods of Encapsulation 250‑010‑0710
Existing Structures 250‑010‑0715
Buoys and Other Floating Devices 250‑010‑0750
Marine Sanitation Device Requirements 250‑010‑0760
Waterway Access Permit 250‑010‑0800
Livery Registration
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 250-010-0154’s source at or​.us