USA & Canada Have New Life Jacket Regulations - Are You Compliant?

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There are new 2025 ‘harmonized’ life jackets regulations’ for both USA and Canada and you should know about them.

Yes, Canada and the USA are finally getting their act together, developing one set of life jacket regulations that will apply to both countries. This move will definitely make boating safer and, while they might seem a little complicated on first read, I will explain at the end of this article how easy it is now to select the jacket that you need under the new system.

These new rules have completely changed the basic system of jacket classification, moving from labelling jackets by “type of use” to classifying them by different “performance levels." Their performance ability is based upon detailed testing in different water levels and conditions. These new North American parameters also align with the International Standards Organization.

The word “Inventory” is a new word being introduced into the rules for life jackets on boats. For each outing, a boat must have the required ‘inventory.' The flotation requirements dictate which of the new life jackets will count towards the legal inventory required. This required inventory must match or exceed the actual number of persons aboard the vessel. For example, your boat may hold eight adults but on this particular outing you may only have five people onboard. Your “inventory requirement” for this trip would be five properly fitting and serviceable life jackets onboard that meet the application requirements. Incidentally, if your inflatable jacket is not tested to turn you face up, you must wear it and not just count it as inventory. Therefore, whether a jacket is carried as legal inventory or worn by a person to make it legal, one legal life jacket is required on the boat for each person onboard.

So, why not make every general boating jacket with legal flotation so that some jackets need to be worn to be counted as inventory? That’s because, for the first time, the rule makers have considered comfort in the jackets they approved. A good swimmer may prefer wearing a comfortable jacket with slightly less flotation while a poor swimmer may prefer to have a higher flotation jacket available but not need to actually wear it.

In broad terms, life jackets are now divided into six very different groups, based upon their ability to float a person. The term “Newton” has also been introduced and is a measure of the jacket’s ability to provide flotation. Each jacket is given a ‘Newton’ flotation rating. If you recall from high school math class, a single Newton is a force equal to a gravitational down force of 0.1 kg. at sea level. You will be glad to hear that in the case of these life jackets, as they will lift you upwards with this force and not pull you downward like gravity. Without using all the apples that Isaac Newton did to do his math, test engineers determined the buoyancy effects of various jackets and assigned them numbers based on a Newton upward flotation force scale. This avoids what was a potential problem under the old system, where there could be the correct number of adult jackets onboard, but with one or more of the adults too heavy to float with an approved “type” jacket.

Here is a question that every boater that reads this will ask: “What about the life jackets I still own?" To avoid financial harm, while the new rules are being implemented, the previous rules governing jackets by “type” designation will still be recognized with no immediate date set for them to expire. So don’t throw them out yet.

Of course, there are the logical legalities to consider before deciding if your life jacket is good to use. In addition to the flotation number, your life jacket must be serviceable and without tears, rips, or broken buckles. It must be the proper fit, size, and weight to closely match the person they are to fit. Life jackets must be readily accessible and not locked away somewhere in your boat. Some inflatable models must be worn when on the boat to be counted as a life jacket at all (check that requirement before buying!) The jacket must also carry a Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, or US Coast Guard approved label that specifies the details of use.

Lets look at how the new life jacket rules divide jackets into Newton flotation level numbers, meaning their ability to float your body:

Level 50 - 11 lbs flotation: For water-sports like kayaking, wake-boarding, canoeing, and paddle boarding. Not for general boating use and they do not count as inventory. They will not turn you face up. They must be worn at all times during the activity. 

Level 70 - 15.7 lbs flotation: Nearshore boating, and most smaller pleasure boats. They will not turn you face up, but count as ‘inventory’ without wearing.

Level 100 - 22 lbs flotation: Designed for larger lakes and coastal waters. Some will turn you face up and all count as inventory (except inflatables).

Level 150 - 33.lbs flotation; Designed for offshore and potentially rough water.  Will turn you face up and count as inventory (except inflatables).

Level 275 – 61 lbs flotation; Offshore and rough water.        

All count as inventory and all turn you face up (except some aforementioned inflatables). Adult sizes are in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large.

Children - Levels 70 and 100 apply: Purchase by specified weight level on the jacket. These include Under 30 lbs, 30 to 50 lbs, and 50 to 90 lbs. Jackets should also have a crotch strap, handles, and head support.

The first 50 times I read these new rules I found them confusing. Now is a good time for me to provide you with some simple advice on how to handle your implementation of these new regulations. Look after yourself and family first. Locate a store or marina that carries a stock of the newly approved life jackets. Consider the activity and vessel for which you plan to use the life jacket. The new label requirements for all of the new jackets is very detailed. This is the key: Just match the label to your needs.

Level 50 is water-sports only and the jacket must be worn. Level 70, 100, 150 series are for general boating, and the higher numbers provide better flotation. Try the jacket on to check for proper fit. Buy the jackets for specific family members. If you appreciate the benefits of an inflatable jacket and are willing to wear it when onboard, you may consider one of these. The extra jackets that you buy for the use of your passengers and store as inventory on the boat, could all be level 100. With these new rules, you may find that your regular passengers start to bring their own life jackets.

One last piece of advice: Don’t lose this article. It could cost you $200 and a ticket. #tips