MA/CT Paddlers Reminded of Fall PFD Requirement

Photo/Tom Richardson

Photo/Tom Richardson

Fall is a great time for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding in New England, which is why the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife is reminding paddlers that they are required to wear a USCG-approved life jacket (PFD) from September 15 to May 15 (this includes waterfowl hunters). The same rule applies to Connecticut paddlers, except that the requirement extends from October 1 to May 31. And in Rhode Island, a PFD is required year-round. Kids under 12 are required to wear a PFD year-round in all three states.

According to the Coast Guard, 87% of drowning victims in 2023 were not wearing a lifejacket. Nationally, 84% of canoe deaths and 76% of kayak deaths were a result of drowning and out of all fatalities in 2023, canoes, kayaks, and SUPs accounted for 26% of overall deaths. Most accidents occur on calm water and are due to operator inattention.