Who is required to wear life jackets on a vessel carrying passengers for hire?

The requirement for life jackets on a vessel carrying passengers for hire is that every person onboard must wear a life jacket. This regulation is in place to ensure the safety of all passengers, regardless of age or status. The reasoning behind this requirement includes the fact that emergencies can arise unexpectedly, and life jackets provide essential buoyancy and flotation support should an individual fall overboard or if the vessel capsizes.

Additionally, safety regulations mandated by organizations such as the United States Coast Guard (USCG) stipulate that vessels must have personal flotation devices (PFDs) readily available for all passengers. This means not only that life jackets must be present, but they must also be worn by everyone on the vessel during transport to maximize safety.

While there can be specific rules about children wearing life jackets, especially in certain jurisdictions where children are often required to have them on, the overarching rule in this context is that life jackets are mandatory for every person onboard, ensuring comprehensive safety for all passengers.