PFD Exception for Prone – Traditional Paddleboards

According to the Coast Guard, vessels propelled by hands or feet without the use of engines, sails, oars, paddles, propellers (the rule gives the full list) are excepted from the USCG life jacket requirement as per rule 33 CFR 175.11 (CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations. )

I would write this on your board, create a sticker, put it on some duct tape. This doesn’t mean local laws don’t supersede this in some cases, but on a national level, they are not required.

Always know the risks associated with your sport and take personal responsibility for your decisions.

Special thanks to our Mullet Legal Correspondant, Martin Burzynsky, who gathered this information.