Types of Life Jackets
Life jackets are essential safety equipment for any water activity. They are designed to keep you afloat and help you stay safe in the water. There are several different types of life jackets available, each with specific features and purposes. Here are the most common types of life jackets:
Type I
Offshore Life Jacket: This is the most buoyant type of life jacket and is designed for use in open, rough, or remote waters, where rescue may take longer. It can turn an unconscious person face-up and has a minimum buoyancy of 22 pounds.
Type II
Near-Shore Buoyant Vest: This type of life jacket is designed for use in calm, inland waters or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It has a minimum buoyancy of 15.5 pounds and is less bulky than a Type I jacket.
Type III
Flotation Aid: This type of life jacket is designed for use in calm, inland waters or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It is designed for activities like water skiing, fishing, and kayaking and has a minimum buoyancy of 15.5 pounds.
Type IV
Throwable Device: This type of life jacket is not meant to be worn but rather thrown to someone in distress. Examples include cushions, horseshoe buoys, and ring buoys.
Type V
Special Use Device: This type of life jacket is designed for specific activities like Jetskis, kayaking, windsurfing. They have specific buoyancy and design features to accommodate the activity. They come with instructions for proper use and care.
Georgia Rental Boating Laws and Regulations
Who Can Operate a Boat
There are three categories of people who can operate a boat in Georgia: those less than 12 years of age, those 12 through 15 years of age, and those 16 years or older.
Those less than 12 years of age
- May not operate any vessel over 16 feet in length.
- May legally operate a vessel under 16 feet in length which is either non-motorized or powered by a motor of 30 horsepower or less only if they are accompanied by a competent adult.
Those 12 through 15 years of age
- May legally operate any vessel less than 16 feet in length, including a PWC only if they:
- Have passed a boat education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources, OR
- Are accompanied by a competent adult - May not legally operate any vessel over 16 feet in length.
Those 16 years of age or older
- May operate any boat on the waters of Georgia if they have proper identification onboard
- All operators born after January 1, 1998 must have passed a boater education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have card on board to operate any vessel.
"Competent Adult" means a person of age 18 or older who is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and who is carrying proper identification.
"Proper Identification" means a drivers license (or legible copy) or any other government issued identification that contains a description of the person, a photograph, and birth date.
Tow Sports
It is illegal for boats or PWC to tow skiers, skiboards, or any device of this type between sunset and sunrise.
It is illegal for the operator of the towing vessel or person(s) being towed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A boat or PWC must not tow persons on water skis or similar devices within 100 feet of a non-moving boat, dock or pier, bridge, person in the water, shoreline adjacent to a residence, public park or beach, swimming area, marina, restaurant or other public use area.
The person being towed must wear a ski-belt, ski jacket or Type I, Type II or Type III personal flotation device.
Every boat towing a person(s) on water skis, or a similar device must have:
- A person, in addition to the boat operator, capable of observing the towed person(s) at all times
OR - A wide-angle rearview mirror mounted such that the operator can observe the towed person(s) at all times
Every PWC towing a person(s) on water skis, or similar device must be rated by the manufacturer to carry three or more persons and must have onboard a person, in addition to the PWC operator, capable of observing the towed person(s) at all times. A wide-angle mirror may not be used in place of an observer on PWC.
