Did you know that all passengers age 13 and younger on board your boat must wear a life jacket? This is a new reg that covers all Coast Guard patrolled waters. (Mississippi River) Thanks to the Coast Guard for pointing that new reg out at last nights Walleye Searchers Meeting!
I know a saw a couple boats in violation of this regulation last weekend. 
Heads up!
Jon J.
If I have my life jackets “Straped” onto the back of my boat seat….am I in violation of the “must have your life jacket throw-able” law ?
As far as I know, that part of the law did not change. Your life jacket and throwable must be accessable. (Out of a storage locker and strapped on a seat has always been OK) If you are age 13 or younger, you must now WEAR the jacket.
J.
Thanks Jon. I did not know that it is a must for the younger people. Good to know.
Anyone know where is the best place to find a life jacket for a 6 month old? 
We plan to get him out in the boat a fair amount this summer for boat rides!
Does that apply if the motor isn’t running? If it does my kid will flip out. He hates trying to cast with a jacket on!
normally wal mart has a good selection for the real small life jackets i know because a friend had to pick one up there.
Ok, I dug up some additional info…..(Note that it is under age 13 rather than 13 and under)
This is from the following site:
http://www.uscgboating.org/news/boatingview.aspx?id=47
Boating Articles
Interim Life Jacket Rule Effective Dec 23, 2002
COAST GUARD LIFE JACKET RULE BECOMES EFFECTIVE
ON DECEMBER 23
Rule Intended to Minimize Drownings Among Children Under 13
United States Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC (December 23, 2002) — The United States Coast Guard’s Life Jacket Rule will go into effect December 23, 2002. In support of the ongoing efforts of the states and Coast Guard to improve boating safety, the Coast Guard is requiring that all children under 13 years of age wear Coast Guard approved life jackets, while aboard recreational vessels underway, except when the children are below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
This rule was created to address the problem of childhood drownings while boating. Between 1995 – 2001, 210 of our children, under the age of 13 died while boating. One hundred and twenty one (121) of them by drowning. Most of these deaths could have been prevented if the child had been wearing a properly fitting life jacket.
This Rule affects only those States that have not established requirements, by statute or rule, for children to wear life jackets. For the remaining states, the rule recognizes and adopts the existing state regulation, even if it is less stringent.
“Statistics show that life jackets save lives –but only when they are worn,” says Captain Scott Evans, Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Office in Washington, D.C. “Children customarily wear protective gear when rollerblading, skateboarding, and bicycling, and similar precautions are in order on the water. The Life Jacket Rule was proposed to make sure that there is a life jacket rule in all states.”
Penalties for a boat operator who fails to have all children under the age of 13 wear a life jacket are similar to those for failing to have life jackets on board. Penalties may be assessed up to a maximum of $1,100 for each violation.
The United States Coast Guard published the Interim Rule June 24, 2002, in the Federal Register, and in cooperation with states, conducted an education and public awareness phase that began July 1 and will end December 31, 2002. States with no current regulation for life jacket wear by children include Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, the Northern Mariana Islands, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
For more boating safety information see http://www.uscg.mil/news and http://www.uscgboating.org.
Who is responsible for enforcement of this new regulation? Does the dnr have authority to write citations on federal laws?
Great Law. This should be common sense for most parents. I know of atleast one time the jacket has brought my 5 year old back up to me. With those young ones you never know what they are going to do next.
The dnr also has a nice program going where they will give your kids a free DQ treat ticket for wearing there life jacket. My boy thought it was great when that happened. I hope they are doing that again this year.
My wife found some jackets at toys are us.
Thanks Jon I got two in the boat some times, they wear them but not when fishin. That will change I guess now.
THANKS, dont need to get stoped! pfluggy
Hi, DeeZee
I think we got our infant life jacket at Hallberg Marine in Wyoming, MN in 1998. Only used it twice. Too bad I don’t still have it cuz I’d have given it to you. Anyway, if Halberg doesn’t have it, you can get one online at Barts.com. Too bad they don’t make Coast Guard approved car seats! 
I just took the life jackets out and made sure they fit the kids tonight. They’re all moving up one size, so I have to buy my oldest a small Adult-sized one!
Anyway, to the point… my youngest has outgrown his. If there’s anyone who could use a small child’s life jacket (type III, 30-50lbs, red & blue w/white lettering) PM me and I’ll gladly see that you get it (free of course).
Keep those kids safe and happy!
– Rick
Dee Zee,I noticed your looking for a life jacket for your young child.I’m not sure how big your child is but I have one of the orange style life jackets I used for my kids. I preferred that style for visibility,and that it supports their head should they become unconcious or are unable to support themselves. Actually the wife just came in from the garage (she went to get the size) and said it must be in my boat. I will check this weekend when I get the boat and see. You have first dibs on it if your interested,no charge.
Just a followup – I was at Hallberg’s tonight and they still carry the infant life jackets. They’re for kids less than 30 lbs. They’re pretty expensive, though. $45 There’s a collar in the back of the vest that keeps the child’s head up when in the water. Also a strap that runs between the legs to keep the child from slipping out of the vest. (or squirming out – little kids are such escape artists)
K-mart has them as well, I paid $18 for one about three weeks ago.
check on overtons.com they have close outs sometimes and you can pick up one for now and for next year it seems kids grow so darn fast. 
Check Walmart as they should have them. Low prices, always. Thanks, Bill
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