TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
BOARD OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Proposed Regulation
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Wildlife Resources is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act pursuant to § 29.1-701 E of the Code of Virginia, which provides that the board shall promulgate regulations to supplement Chapter 7 (§ 29.1-700 et seq.) of Title 29.1 of the Code of Virginia as prescribed in Article 1 (§ 29.1-500 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 29.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Title of Regulation: 4VAC15-430. Watercraft: Safety Equipment Requirements (amending 4VAC15-430-30; adding 4VAC15-430-211).
Statutory Authority: §§ 29.1-701 and 29.1-735 of the Code of Virginia.
Public Comment Deadline: August 17, 2026.
Agency Contact: Aaron Proctor, Policy Manager, Department of Wildlife Resources, 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, VA 23228, telephone (804) 801-8199, or email aaron.proctor@dwr.virginia.gov.
Summary:
The proposed amendments require (i) a child younger than 13 years of age wear a life jacket while riding in a vessel that is underway and (ii) an operator of a certain sized and powered motorboat be tethered to the engine shut-off switch while on plane or in displacement mode.
4VAC15-430-30. Personal flotation devices required.
A. Except as provided in 4VAC15-430-40, it shall be unlawful to use a recreational vessel unless:
1. At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person;
2. Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and
3. Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.
B. Except as provided in 4VAC15-430-40, it shall be unlawful to use a recreational vessel of 16 feet or greater unless one throwable PFD is on board in addition to the total number of PFDs required in subsection A of this section.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 29.1-742 of the Code of Virginia, it shall be unlawful to operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on the personal watercraft or being towed by it is wearing a wearable PFD that is approved for such activity.
D. No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child younger than 13 years of age aboard, unless the child is either:
1. Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, or
2. Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
4VAC15-430-211. Engine cut-off switch required.
A. Any operator of a motorboat 26 feet or shorter with a motor over three horsepower or capable of developing 115 pounds or more of static thrust and equipped with an engine cut-off switch shall attach the engine cut-off switch tether to the operator's person while on plane or otherwise in displacement mode, unless the main helm of the vessel is within an enclosed cabin.
B. This section does not apply to personal watercraft as defined in § 29.1-700 of the Code of Virginia.
VA.R. Doc. No. R26-8700; Filed July 07, 2026