Anyone aboard a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard or rowboat on Connecticut waters must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket during the state's cold-water season, which runs from Oct. 1 through May 31.
In a Sept. 30 notice, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the requirement applies to passengers as well as operators. Paddlers who do not wear a life jacket during that period may receive a $75 infraction.
Cool water can quickly impair swimming and the ability to get back into a boat, even when the air feels mild. The department recommends dressing for immersion, staying near shore when possible, carrying waterproof communications and telling someone the planned route and return time.
A separate requirement under Public Act 26-60 calls for unregistered vessels used on Connecticut waters to be marked with, or have attached, current owner contact information. That can help responders determine whether an unattended boat signals a missing person or simply a lost vessel.
The agency's boating notice links to instructions for marking a vessel. Questions can be directed to DEEP.Boating@ct.gov.