NC law mandates life jackets for children under 13 on moving recreational boats.
Violations of NC life jacket laws carry a $25 fine and a Class 3 misdemeanor charge.
All boats 16 feet or longer must carry a Type IV Coast Guard-approved flotation device.
As the dog days of summer drag on, one way North Carolina might try to beat the heat is to spend time on the nearest lake or beach.
However, doing so can be risky if water safety is not a priority.
In June, a man drowned while boating on Lake Norman after trying to retrieve a personal item that fell into the water, Queen City News reported. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission said the man was not wearing a life jacket.
Who is required to wear a life jacket under North Carolina law? What kind do you need, and what are the penalties if you aren’t using one?
Here’s what to know.
Do you have to wear a life jacket in NC?
North Carolina requires anyone younger than 13 to wear an appropriate life vest when on a recreational vessel that is underway,” the NC Wildlife Resource Commission says on its website.
Those wearing a life jacket should use a Coast Guard-approved “Type I, II, or III personal flotation device” that’s the proper size for each person on board. This includes motorized boats and human-powered canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, according to BOATsmart.com.
In addition, all boats 16 feet in length or greater must have one readily accessible Type IV, Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device on board, BOATsmart says.
“Make sure that you have that life jacket on; it’s a good chance it will save you,” Master Wildlife Officer Philip Griffin with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission previously told ABC45 News in Winston-Salem.
Under state law, people must wear Coast Guard-approved “Type I, II or III personal flotation device” life jackets on a moving recreational vessel of any length. DILLON DEATON CHARLOTTE OBSERVER FILE PHOTO
Make sure the device has a U.S. Coast Guard-approved label
Matches you or your child’s current weight
Make sure it fits snugly but also comfortably
What are penalties for not wearing a life jacket in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, not wearing a life vest is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a $25 fine and associated court costs.
If you’re planning to be in the water this summer, there are safety tips everyone should follow. Getty Images
How to stay safe in the water
If you’re planning to be in the water this summer, follow these safety tips from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources:
Wear a life jacket
Take boating safety courses
Monitor weather forecast changes
Swim in areas designated for swimming
Engage in water activities with others by using a buddy system
Use beaches that lifeguards patrol
Make sure children have adult supervision
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