{"data":{"id":"us-va/4vac15-430-30","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"4VAC15-430-30","heading":"Personal flotation devices required","body":"A. Except as provided in 4VAC15-430-40, it shall be unlawful to use a recreational vessel unless:\n\n1.  At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person;\n\n2.  Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label;  and\n\n3.  Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.\n\nB. 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.\n\nC. 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.","path":["Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources","Agency 15. Department of Wildlife Resources","Chapter 430. Watercraft: Safety Equipment Requirements"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title4/agency15/chapter430/section30/","current_through":"2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:45:27Z","sha256":"ade1dd6fbd4491ac858b0563b90f99ca9cc8a4e28eab780f95c99bfaf1252c8c","source_id":"us-va-vac","stale":false,"prev":"us-va/4vac15-430-20","next":"us-va/4vac15-430-40"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}