of the Road a VHF or long range radio Other items might seem obvious but are not actually required by law. They include a flashlight, first aid kit, paddles, whistles, anchor and rope, engine spare parts, bilge pumps, a VHF radio or mobile phone, etc. In addition to these safety items listed above, the Code of Federal Regulations lists some additional required items that may not fall into the common definition of "safety" items: backfire arresters on gasoline-powered vessels ventilation systems on gasoline-powered vessels plaques which list the penalties associated with pollution due to oil discharge, or dumping trash overboard. a marine sanitation system (MSD) which prevents water pollution from sewage State laws may add to this list of requirements. Most of the differences fall into a few categories: laws requiring life jackets to be worn in specific activities or by children upgraded life jackets for specific activities or by children restrictions on the types of MSDs that are allowed within state borders In the United States, more than 40 states have educational requirements for operating a boat or PWC on state waters. Laws vary by state so it's best to check the laws of your state. Boater education courses can be taken in-person classroom style or online at the student's convenience. Credible courses are recognized by the US Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and work in conjunction with state agencies. All pleasure craft operators in Canada are required to have a proof of competency (something that shows they understand the basic rules and how to safely operate a boat). A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is the most common proof of competency and it can be obtained by taking an online course and a Transport Canada exam. PFD use Recreational boating deaths could be dramatically reduced with increased use of Personal flotation devices (PFDs) or life jackets. Wear rates in 2003 were around 22.4%, although state and federal laws requiring children to wear flotation were more common, and therefore children's wear rates were much higher than those for adults. Relatively few children die in boating accidents; the more likely victim is an adult male in the mid-afternoon in a boat (under 20 feet length overall) who is not wearing a PFD. While various strategies have been devised in the last few decades to increase PFD wear rates, the observed rate has been relatively constant. This has led to the