Search Virginia.gov:

• Skip to Content
• Online Services
• Commonwealth Sites
• Help
• Governor

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Boating
• Wildlife Watching
• Wildlife Information
• Habitat
• Education
• Licenses
• Permits
• Forms
• About VDGIF

Virginia Watercraft Owner's Guide

Equipment Regulations

• Required Equipment
• Personal Flotation Devices
• Federal Life Jacket Rule for Children Under 13 Years Old
• Proper Stowage of PFDs
• PFD Serviceability
• Fire Extinguishers
• Backfire Flame Arrestor
• Ventilation
• Sound Producing Devices
• Visual Distress Signals
• Muffling Device
• Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD)
• Pump Out Stations
• Navigation Lights Required on Boats Between Sunset and Sunrise
• Navigation Lights - Power Driven Vessels
• Navigation Lights - Sailing Vessels

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)

Nearly all boating-related fatalities are the result of drowning and it is estimated that over 80% of fatalities could have been prevented if a life jacket was worn.

At least one (1) USCG approved Type IV throwable (ring buoy or seat cushion), per boat, is required on all recreational boats regardless of size, in ADDITION to the wearable PFD required for each person onboard. The regulation to carry a Type IV does not apply to personal watercraft (PWC), canoes, kayaks, inflatable rafts and vessels less than 16'in length registered in another state temporarily using Virginia waters.

Inflatable life jackets are lightweight, comfortable to wear and take up about one-tenth the storage room of conventional foam-filled PFDs. Most are USCG approved for persons over 16 years of age who are not engaged in whitewater or skiing activities or riding on PWC.

Federal Life Jacket Rule for Children Under 13 Years Old

No person may operate a recreational vessel on federal waters with any child under age 13 on the vessel unless each child is either:

1. Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or
2. Below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

In Virginia, this rule is enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard and applies on waters over which they have enforcement jurisdiction.

Proper Stowage of PFDs

Each required Type I, II, or III wearable PFD must be readily accessible. "Readily accessible" means the PFDs are stowed where they can be easily reached, or are out in the open ready for wear. Readily accessible PFDs cannot be in protective coverings or under lock and key.

Type V (hybrid device) PFD must be worn according to the manufacturer label to meet carriage requirements.

Each Type IV throwable PFD must be immediately available. "Immediately available" means the PFD shall be quickly reachable in an emergency situation. An immediately available PFD cannot be in a protective covering, in a closed compartment or under other equipment.

PFD Serviceability

A PFD is considered to be in serviceable condition only if the following conditions are met:

1. No PFD may exhibit deterioration that could diminish the performance of the PFD, including:
• a. Metal or plastic hardware used to secure the PFD on the wearer that is broken, deformed, or weakened by corrosion;
• b. Webbings or straps used to secure the PFD on the wearer that are ripped, torn, or which have become separated from an attachment point on the PFD; or
• c. Any other rotted or deteriorated structural component that fails when tugged.
2. In addition to meeting the requirements of subparagraph 1 above, no inherently buoyant PFD, including the inherently buoyant components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, may exhibit:
• a. Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large enough to allow the loss of buoyant material;
• b. Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or mildew; or
• c. Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not securely held in position.
3. In addition to meeting the requirements of subparagraph 1 above, an inflatable PFD, including the inflatable components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, must be equipped with:
• a. Except as provided in subparagraph 4 below, a properly armed inflation mechanism, complete with a full inflation medium cartridge and all status indicators showing that the inflation mechanism is properly armed:
• b. Inflatable chambers that are all capable of holding air;
• c. Oral inflation tubes that are not blocked, detached, or broken;
• d. A manual inflation lanyard or lever that is not inaccessible, broken, or missing; and
• e. Inflator status indicators that are not broken or otherwise non-functional.
4. The inflation system of an inflatable PFD need not be armed when the PFD is worn inflated and otherwise meets the requirements of subparagraphs 1 and 3 above.

Fire Extinguishers

All inboards, all outboards 26 feet and over, and all outboards under 26 feet which have one or more of the following conditions must have approved fire extinguishers aboard.

• Closed compartment under thwarts and seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored.
• Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation material.
• Closed living spaces.
• Closed stowage compartment in which combustible or flammable materials may be stowed.
• Permanently installed fuel tanks.

Backfire Flame Arrestor

Inboard gasoline engines must have USCG, SEA-J11, or UL approved flame arrestors on their carburetors. The backfire flame arrestor must be securely attached to the carburetor.

Ventilation

No person may operate a boat built after July 31, 1980, that has an inboard gasoline engine (for whatever use) unless it is equipped with an operable ventilation system that meets USCG standards.

For boats built after April 25, 1940, and before August 1, 1980, (with engines using gasoline as fuel and other fuels having a flashpoint of 110°F. or less) the following is required:

At least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the purpose of properly and efficiently ventilating the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment. There shall be at least one exhaust duct installed so as to extend to the lower portion of the bilge and at least one intake duct installed so as to extend to a point at least midway to the bilge or at least below the level of the carburetor air intake.

For boats which are built after July 31, 1978, but prior to August 1, 1980, there are no requirements for ventilation of the fuel tank compartment if there is no electrical source in the compartment and if the fuel tank vents to the outside of the boat. The operator of the vessel is required to keep the system in operating condition.

Sound Producing Devices

Regulations do not specifically require vessels less than 39.4 feet in length to carry a whistle, horn or bell. However, the navigation rules require sound signals to be made under certain circumstances. Meeting, crossing and overtaking situations described in Navigation Rules are examples of when sound signals are required. Recreational vessels are also required to sound fog signals during periods of reduced visibility. Therefore, having some means of making an efficient sound signal capable of a 4 second blast, audible for 1 mile is recommended.

Vessels of 39.4 feet or more in length are required to carry on board a power whistle or power horn audible one half mile and a bell at least 7-7/8" (200mm) in diameter.

Visual Distress Signals

All recreational boats 16 feet or greater in length shall be equipped with visual distress signaling devices at all times when operating on coastal waters.

Boats less than 16 feet, manually propelled boats (rowboats, canoes, kayaks, etc.), and open sailboats under 26 feet with no motor, are required to carry only night visual distress signals when operated on coastal waters at night.

Note: It is illegal to display a visual distress signal unless immediate assistance is needed.

This regulation applies to all coastal water and those rivers 2 miles or more wide at the mouth and up to the first point the river narrows to less than 2 miles.

Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be USCG approved, in serviceable condition and readily accessible. The expiration date must be current. Launchers produced before January 1, 1981, intended for use with approved signals are not required to be USCG approved. USCG approved Visual Distress Signals include:

• Pyrotechnic red flares, hand-held or aerial;
• Pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or floating;
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute flares.

Non-pyrotechnic visual distress signaling devices must meet USCG requirements. They must be in serviceable condition and be readily accessible. This group includes:

• Orange distress flag with black square and black ball, for daytime use;
• Electric distress light for night use.

The following points will be used as the "cutoff points" for enforcement of the visual distress signal regulations on the coastal waters in Virginia.

1. Entrance to Hampton Roads up to where the waterway is reduced to 2 nautical miles which is a line drawn between Old Point Comfort and Fort Wool.
2. York River up to where the waterway is reduced to 2 nautical miles which is a line drawn between Sandy Point and Tue Point, which is in the vicinity of Tue Marshes Light.
3. Mobjack Bay up to, but not including, the Severn, Ware, North and East Rivers.
4. Entrance to the Piankatank Riverwhere the waterway is reduced to 2 nautical miles which is a line drawn from Cherry Point at Gwynns Island across the river to the opposite shore, which is in the vicinity of Piankatank River Lighted Buoy 6.
5. Rappahannock River up to where the waterway is reduced to 2 nautical miles, which is a line drawn from Parrott Island to Cherry Point, which is just before you get to the first highway bridge.
6. Those parts of the Pocomoke and Tangier Sounds which fall within Virginia.
7. Where the uncharted inlets of the Atlantic Ocean are reduced to 2 nautical miles in width.

Muffling Device

The exhaust of an internal combustion engine on any motorboat shall be effectively muffled. The muffling device shall exhaust at or below the water line or it shall be equipped with mechanical baffles. The use of cutouts is prohibited.

Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD)

Vessels with installed toilets and marine sanitation devices shall be in compliance with federal regulations which set standards for sewage discharges from marine sanitation devices. Vessels without installed toilets or without installed marine sanitation devices shall not directly or indirectly discharge sewage into state waters. Sewage and other wastes from self-contained, portable toilets or other containment devices shall be pumped out at pump-out facilities or carried ashore for treatment in facilities approved by the Virginia Department of Health. Smith Mountain Lake is a "No Discharge Zone."

Pump Out Stations

A complete list of pump out stations is available at the Virginia Department of Health's Web site (PDF) or by calling VDH at 804-864-7473.

Navigation Lights Required on Boats Between Sunset and Sunrise

Recreational boats, while underway, are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility. No other lights shall be exhibited that could impair the visibility of required running lights or impair the visibility of approaching vessels.

Lights Used When Anchored

An anchor light is a 360 degree (all-round) white light exhibited where it can best be seen and visible for 2 miles.

International

Power-driven vessels and sailing vessels less than 65.6 feet in length shall not be required to display anchor lights unless anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate.

Inland

Power-driven vessels and sailing vessels less than 65.6 feet in length at anchor must display anchor lights. Vessels less than 23.9 feet in length shall not be required to display anchor lights unless anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage or where other vessels normally navigate. A vessel less than 65.6 feet, in inland waters when at anchor in a special anchorage area designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall not be required to exhibit an anchor light.

Range and Degree of Navigation Lights - Inland and International

Special Lights for Enforcement Vessels

Enforcement vessels of the DGIF and the USCG may display a rotating or flashing blue light. When such a light is observed you should stop immediately and lay to, or maneuver in such a way as to permit the boarding officer to come aboard. By federal law, blue lights may only be displayed by enforcement vessels of the federal, state or local governments, and have the same effect on the water as the rotating or flashing blue lights on law enforcement cars traveling our highways.

Navigation Lights — Power Driven Vessels

International

1. A power-driven vessel 20 meters (65'7 1/2") and over shall exhibit navigation lights as shown in Figures 1 and 2. If you choose Figure 1 the aft masthead light must be higher than the forward one. If Figure 2 is selected, a vessel less than 20 meters (65'7 1/2") must have the masthead light 1 meter (3'3") higher than the colored lights. If the vessel is 12 meters (39'41/2") or more in length and less than 20 meters (65'7 1/2") the masthead light must be 2.5 meters higher than the gunwale.
2. A power-driven vessel less than 7 meters (23'11 1/2") in length and whose maximum speed cannot exceed 7 knots may, in lieu of the lights prescribed above, exhibit an all-round white light. Such vessel shall, if practicable also exhibit red and green lights.

Inland

1. A power-driven vessel, when the construction was started before December 15, 1981, less than 20 meters (65'7 1/2") shall exhibit navigation lights as displayed in Figures 2 or 3.
2. A power-driven vessel, when the construction was started after December 14, 1981, 12 meters (39'4 1/2") or more in length and less than 20 meters (65'7 1/2") shall exhibit navigation lights as displayed in Figure 2. A power-driven vessel when the construction was started after December 24, 1981, less than 12 meters (39'4 1/2") shall exhibit those lights shown in Figures 1-4.

Note: The white, 360 degree stern light must be higher than any other part of the boat so it is visible from all directions. It can also be used as an anchor light.

Navigation Lights — Sailing Vessels

International

1. A sailing vessel of less than 12 meters (39'4 1/2") in length shall exhibit navigation lights shown in either Figures 5, 6 or 7.
2. A sailing vessel of less than 12 meters (39'4 1/2") or more in length shall exhibit navigation lights shown in either Figures 5 or 6.
3. A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters (23'11 1/2") in length shall, if practicable, exhibit those lights prescribed for sailing vessels less than 12 meters, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. (See Figure 8)
4. A vessel under oars may display those lights prescribed for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. (See Figure 8)

Inland

1. A sailing vessel, under sail alone, shall exhibit navigation lights as displayed in either Figures 5, 6 or 7.
2. A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters (23'11 1/2") in length shall, if practicable, exhibit those lights prescribed in (Figure 5 or 7) of this section, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. (See Figure 8)
3. A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this section for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. (See Figure 8)