Orange on the back of your float tube

Someone was asking is there a need by the Coast Guard or by Law to have Orange on the back of your float tube. I do not know this, I do think I heard that it is simple to make you more visible to other on the water. Does anyone know the real reason for the Orange on the back of our float tubes?

I can see using a orange reflective tape of some sort on the back of a tube too be more visible at night maybe ?   Myself having a full orange tube I can tell you first hand people not paying attention and it happens a lot does not matter what color your tube is     I think it was last year or the year before during the float tube meeting we had at lake perris where all the tubers got kicked off the water during the thunderstorm rolling threw and I was in my bright orange tube and the ranger blew right on past me and a friend  and we got stuck on the water in the storm  .. that was a fun time and ride   lol

Does anyone know the real reason for the Orange on the back of our float tubes?

I think it's just a design choice on the Cumberland. I've never seen any other tubes that have orange on them like that.

Definitely NOT a Coast Guard regulation.

As for being visible on the water - I agree with the misfitdog - we're not. In point of fact, I automatically assume that no one sees me and that it's all on me to get out of the way or make a ruckus and get seen.

"144 square inches of international orange visible at least 12 inches above the waterline"


That's the requirement for San Diego lakes but I haven't seen it anywhere else.

It was common on the older round and U tubes to have the orange band wrap around the sides and back.

Yes, it was common on the older tube all mine originals had it. But maybe it is an individual lake requirement. I do know that you see it less and less on the new tubes, thanks for everyone's input.