TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES
BOARD OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Final 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.
Effective Date: January 1, 2027.
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 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 above displacement speed.
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 above ] displacement [ mode speed ], 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 August 26, 2026