Summer is here, and many boaters are heading to the water. Be prepared this boating season and make sure your watercraft is outfitted with Personal Flotation Devices (PFD). Game and Fish wardens often note many boaters in violation for not having PFDs readily available in their watercraft. Wyoming boaters are required by law to have a “life jacket”, or PFD, for everyone on board when they take to the water. All children twelve years old and under are required to wear a PFD at all times while watercraft is underway or inside an enclosed cabin.
The Game and Fish regulation reads "All watercraft shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of suitable size for each person on board. All U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices shall be readily accessible, in good condition and shall not be waterlogged, torn, or have straps broken or missing."
“We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be able to access PFDs for all of the
passengers in your boat,” says Aaron Kerr, Wyoming Game and Fish state watercraft coordinator.
“Rafts and drift boats are watercraft and also require wearable PFDs for each person on board. In addition, if the boat is 16 feet or longer, a Type IV throwable flotation device is required and a rope throw-bag doesn’t meet the requirements by law in most instances,” said Kerr.
Boaters are also reminded they need to register their motorized watercraft to be legal when operating on Wyoming waters. Every watercraft powered by any type of propulsion other than human is required to be registered . Drift boats and canoes do not require state registration, but “when a motor of any kind is used, it does require state registration,” said Kerr. “It used to be any motor five horsepower or greater had to be registered, but now all boats with any kind of motor, including electric, need to be registered.” All watercraft, with exception of non-motorized inflatables under ten feet, also require an Aquatic Invasive Species decal.
Watercraft registrations for renewals can only be completed at any Game and Fish office. New watercraft registrations must be done with an application to the Watercraft Section at the Cheyenne Headquarters. Application forms may be picked up at any regional office, some license vendors or online at the Wyoming Game & Fish Department website.
Applicants are required to provide information with the application, including Proof of Ownership (notarized), Proof of Wyoming Sales Tax, and the registration fee. Watercraft may be registered for a one-year period or a three-year period. The fees are $15 for a one-year registration or $40 for a three-year registration. All watercraft registrations expire on December 31 for the period registered. Fees are not transferable or refundable if the watercraft is sold.
Watercraft owners may pick up a copy of the Wyoming Watercraft Regulations at any Game and Fish office or license vendor. Additional information can be found at the Game and Fish website.
