Coast Guard Classification of Float Tubes

I've always been curious if there was some sort of official designation of where, or even if, float tubes fit within the idea of "boating regulations."

Heck, here we are paddling around with swim fins on jumped up inner tubes, I could even see us being classified as swimmers.

But it turns out the Coast Guard has, indeed, made a ruling concerning where float tubes fit in the regulations and we are officially "vessels."

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In other words, we're boats and we must follow Coast Guard Regulations.

There are sub-categories like "recreational vessels," "inflatable watercraft" or "non-motorized" vessels, but the main thing this means for tubers is we must follow this rule:

All recreational vessels must carry one wearable life jacket for each person on board.

This is probably old news to most of the guys here, and I've always had a pfd from the very beginning, but, like I said, I had never seen it actually spelled out that float tubes really are vessels under USCG regulations.

Look at me, I'm a boat owner!

SS Barcalounger

As a surfer I always found this curious. I can paddle my surfboard where ever I wish without being bothered about a lifejacket. My girl can bob around on an inner tube and catch some sun. But if I hold onto a fishing pole in an inner tube I am suddenly subject to coastguard regulations and lifejacket rules. That said I always wear a lifejacket now. I used to tie it the side of my donut style tube.

I was wondering how the Coasties will react to a float tube here on Lake Michigan. I use them in Lake Michigan lagoon, estuary, boat harbor type areas but not in the main lake. The big violation for small boats up here on Lake Michigan is not having a flare gun. Would they cite me for not having a flare gun in my float tube? Common sense says no.... but?

Common sense and government agencies are not often used in the same sentence. I say buy one and stick it in one of the pockets. Why risk the ticket.

I bought a tube as I had nowhere to store a boat, turns out I'm a boat owner too lol. Common sense should prevail regarding a pfd, it's not worth it to go out without one

According to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], night visible Visual Distress Signals are required for all vessels operating between sunset and sunrise (in the dark) but not for daytime operation by recreational vessels less than 16 ft in length. (page 34)

The night visible VSD can be a battery powered light.