Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






New age requirement for personal flotation devices (sometimes known as life jackets)
family putting life jackets on dock before a day of boating with bright blue skies

Effective January 1, 2026, children *12 years of age or younger*, including a boat operator who is 12 years of age or younger, must wear a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on any watercraft that is underway and being used for recreational purposes. Exceptions to this requirement include if the child is below the decks, in an enclosed cabin or if the watercraft has a USCG certificate of inspection.

This change, initiated and passed by the Maine State Legislature, increased the required age from 10 years of age or younger to 12 years of age or younger to improve youth safety on Maine's waters. The updated age requirement now aligns with federal law. 

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife encourages everyone aboard a watercraft to always wear a life jacket. Additional laws regarding personal flotation device requirements can be found in the boating law book. 

*View Maine's Boating Laws* [ [link removed] ]






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More information

Maine Boating Laws and Rules [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Information [ [link removed] ]

Purchase Your Lake and River Protection Sticker [ [link removed] ]

Online Boat Registration Renewal [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Courses [ [link removed] ]

Surface Use Restrictions [ [link removed] ]

Help Protect our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]

Label Canoes and Kayaks with a If Found Sticker [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ·41 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333-0041 · (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]