• Children must wear an appropriately sized life jacket.on a boat image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com
  
  Each state has its own boater safety laws and regulations. Boat owners should obtain a copy of their state's boater safety handbook. Though laws for each state differ slightly, the U.S. Coast Guard has some general rules for every boater to follow.
  
  

Life Jackets and Flotation Devices

• According to the U.S. Coast Guard, all states require children to have access to a child-sized life jacket. A child cannot wear an adult life jacket. A child's life jacket must fit the child snugly and not allow the child to slip through it. Some states require a child to wear the life jacket at all times while aboard a boat. Every vessel must have enough life jackets on board for each adult passenger. Any boat that is 16 feet or longer must carry an approved, throwable flotation device.
  
  

BUI

• Boating under the influence is illegal in every state, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. BUI is also illegal under federal law. The law is enforced for every boating vessel, from canoes to cruise ships. Penalties for BUI include heavy fines, suspension of boating privileges and jail time.
  
  

Distress Signals

• According to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check website, any recreational boat in coastal waters or on the Great Lakes must carry a visual distress device. Boats that are 16 feet or longer must carry either three day and three night flares, one distress flag and one SOS light or a combination of flares, flags and lights. Boats under 16 feet must carry at least one night time flare or an SOS light.
  
  

Fire Extinguishers

• Boat owners only need fire extinguishers if certain conditions exist on a boat such as inboard engines, stowed fuel and enclosed living spaces. However, it is a good idea to carry an extinguisher on every boat. Just because you are surrounded by water, doesn't mean there cannot be a fire.
  
  

Warning Bells

• All vessels must carry a warning bell or other sound producing device. If a boater opts for a horn, whistle or siren instead of a bell, it must be capable of producing at least a four second blast that can be heard for at least half a mile. Many boaters carry an air horn to fulfill this requirement.
  
  

Lights

• Weather can reduce visibility, so even boats that will not be out at night should have working navigation lights. Boats over 16 feet should also have an anchor light that can be turned on independently of other lights.
  
  

Safety Checks

• The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide boaters with a complimentary vessel safety check to ensure all local and federal safety requirements are being met. The check will not result in citations. Instead the inspector will provide the boat owner with a written evaluation and suggestions for improving his boating safety.