New life jacket law now in effect for boaters
Jan. 6, 2026
By staff
Anyone 12 or under must now wear a life jacket on a boat in Maine, with some exceptions. Photo by Unsplash.
Boating season may seem far away but the state has a new law for children wearing life jackets.
The new law that is now in effect will require any child 12 years of age or less to wear a life jacket on a boat. Previously, only children 10 years and under had to wear life jackets in Maine.
Effective January 1, 2026, children 12 and under “must wear a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on any watercraft that is underway and being used for recreational purposes,” according to a press release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
There are exceptions to the rule. Children below decks, in an enclosed cabin or on a boat that has a US Coast Guard certificate of inspection do not have to wear life jackets.
“This change, initiated and passed by the Maine State Legislature, increased the required age from 10 years of age or younger to 12 years of age or younger to improve youth safety on Maine's waters. The updated age requirement now aligns with federal law,” the release said.
While not required for everyone, the Maine DIF&W recommends all boaters wear life jackets at all times.
“If you think you will have time to put it on after you are in the water, think again,” the department recommends on its website.
