625 ILCS 45/4-1
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 625 - VEHICLES|625 ILCS 45/ - Boat Registration and Safety Act.|Article IV - Motorboat Equipment

 (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-1)(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 102-595)Sec. 4-1. Personal flotation devices.A.  No person may operate a watercraft  unless at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD is on board, so placed as to be readily available for each person.B.  No person may operate a personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft  unless each person aboard is wearing a  PFD approved by the United States Coast Guard. No person on board a personal watercraft shall use an inflatable PFD in order to meet the PFD requirements of  subsection A of this Section.C.  No person may operate a watercraft 16 feet or more in length,  except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one readily accessible United States Coast Guard  approved throwable PFD is on board.D. (Blank).E. When assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar  device, there must be one wearable United States Coast Guard approved PFD on  board the watercraft for each person being assisted or towed or worn  by the person being assisted or towed.F. No person may operate a watercraft unless each device required by  this Section is:1. in serviceable condition;2. identified by a label bearing a description and     approval number demonstrating that the device has been approved by the United States Coast Guard;3. of the appropriate size for the person for whom it     is intended;4. in the case of a wearable PFD, readily accessible     aboard the watercraft;5.  in the case of a throwable PFD, immediately     available for use;6. out of its original packaging; and7. not stowed under lock and key.G. Approved personal flotation devices are defined as a device that is approved by the United States Coast Guard under Title 46 CFR Part 160.H. (Blank).I. No person may operate a watercraft under 26 feet in length unless an approved and appropriate sized United States Coast Guard personal flotation device is being properly worn by each person  under  the age of 13 on board the watercraft at all times in which the watercraft is  underway; however, this requirement shall not apply to persons who are below  decks or in totally enclosed cabin spaces.   The provisions of this subsection I shall not apply to a person operating a  watercraft on an individual's private property.J. Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks are exempt from the PFD, of any type, carriage requirements under this Section provided that the racing shell, racing scull, racing canoe, or racing kayak is participating in an event sanctioned by the Department as a PFD optional event. The Department may adopt rules to implement this subsection. (Source: P.A. 100-469, eff. 6-1-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 102-595)Sec. 4-1. Personal flotation devices.A.  No person may operate a watercraft  unless at least one wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each person is on board, so placed as to be readily available for each person.B.  No person may operate a personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft  unless each person aboard is wearing a wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device. No person on board a personal watercraft shall use an inflatable PFD in order to meet the PFD requirements of  subsection A of this Section.C.  No person may operate a watercraft 16 feet or more in length,  except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one readily accessible United States Coast Guard  approved throwable PFD is on board.D. (Blank).E. When assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane or similar  device, there must be one wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD on  board the watercraft for each person being assisted or towed or worn  by the person being assisted or towed.F. No person may operate a watercraft unless each device required by  this Section is:1. in serviceable condition;2. identified by a label bearing a description and     approval number demonstrating that the device has been approved by the United States Coast Guard;3. of the appropriate size for the person for whom it     is intended;4. in the case of a wearable PFD, readily accessible     aboard the watercraft;5.  in the case of a throwable PFD, immediately     available for use;6. out of its original packaging; and7. not stowed under lock and key.G. Approved personal flotation devices are defined as a device that is approved by the United States Coast Guard under Title 46 CFR Part 160.H. (Blank).H-5.   An approved and appropriately sized wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device shall be worn by each person under the age of 13 while in tow.I. No person may operate any watercraft unless an approved and appropriately sized wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device is being properly worn by each person  under  the age of 13 on the deck of a watercraft or in an open watercraft at all times in which the watercraft is  underway; however, this requirement shall not apply to persons who are enclosed in a cabin or below the top deck on a watercraft, on an anchored watercraft that is a platform for swimming or diving, or aboard a charter "passenger for hire" watercraft with a licensed captain.J. Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks are exempt from the PFD, of any type, carriage requirements under this Section provided that the racing shell, racing scull, racing canoe, or racing kayak is participating in an event sanctioned by the Department as a PFD optional event. The Department may adopt rules to implement this subsection. (Source: P.A. 102-595, eff. 6-1-22.)