What is required for each person on board a boat according to safety regulations?

The requirement that each person on board a boat must have a life jacket in good condition is crucial for ensuring safety while navigating waters. Life jackets are essential in providing buoyancy to a person who falls overboard or is involved in an accident, significantly increasing their chances of survival. Safety regulations mandate that personal flotation devices (PFDs) must be available for every individual on board, tailored to the weight and size of users. This regulation is rooted in the need to protect individuals from drowning, especially in unexpected situations such as capsizing or entering turbulent waters.

While throwable cushions, color-coded flags, and binoculars may serve practical purposes on a boat, they do not fulfill the fundamental safety requirements mandated by law. Specifically, throwable cushions are important safety devices but are not a substitute for individual life jackets, and safety equipment like flags and binoculars enhance navigation and communication rather than directly provide personal safety to individuals in case of emergencies. Thus, ensuring every person has a functional life jacket in good condition is paramount and a standard safety measure in boating regulations.