What is a common safety feature required on most vessels before leaving the dock?

Having life jackets for all passengers is a crucial safety feature required on most vessels before leaving the dock. Life jackets, or personal flotation devices (PFDs), provide essential buoyancy to keep individuals afloat in the water, significantly reducing the risk of drowning in case of an accident or unexpected fall overboard. Regulations often mandate that each person on board a vessel has access to an appropriately sized life jacket to ensure their safety during the trip.

While emergency flares, fire extinguishers, and sound signaling devices are important safety items, the immediate and critical need for individual flotation devices makes life jackets the top priority. They are the first line of defense against risks associated with being on the water and must be readily available and accessible to all passengers before departure.