Vessels: personal flotation devices.

Existing law regulates the safe operation of various types of vessels navigating the state's ports and harbors. Existing law prohibits a person from operating a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel that is 26 feet or less in length unless every person on board who is under 13 years of age is wearing a specified type of wearable personal flotation device while that motorboat, sailboat, or vessel is underway, as defined, except, among other circumstances, if the person under 13 years of age is in an enclosed cabin. Existing law, for purposes of those provisions, defines "enclosed cabin" to mean a space on board a vessel that is surrounded by bulkheads and covered by a roof. This bill would make that prohibition applicable to a person operating a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel of any length, but would exempt from that prohibition a person operating a passenger vessel or small passenger vessel, as defined. The bill would revise the definition of "enclosed cabin" to mean a space on board a vessel that is surrounded by bulkheads or canvas, and covered by a roof.