inflatable rafts & PFDs ?

What is the law in regaurds to inflatable rafts and PFDs ? I read the regs and they were unclear to me if your are required to wear one in a small inflatable 2 man raft. A few of us were thinking about floating the Clarion down through Cook Forest (The same route the rentals use). I was unsure if PFDs were required. I know it a smart thing to wear, no doubt. But I'm not sure if everyone has one. Thanks in advance !
Jeb 

tHANKS !

How about inflatable tubes? We were thinking of a family float trip on the Raystown Branch of Little Juniata outflow this time next month. We did not consider this although it is a good idea. Specially for Mom as she is 83 years old. I know she will figure out how to keep her cigarette dry. Singular - one a day habit.

I doubt the pfbc is going to pinch you if you are floating down the creek on a tube without a pfd. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a good time.

slabdaddy

Yep. You need a PFD for anything under 16'.

Wrong-partially. Depends on where and what time of the year. All kid under 12, all Corp of Eng. waters and between Nov.1 and April 30th boating on anything under 16' must wear a PFD.
I couldn't find anything online either that dealt with inflatables specifically and I would say that they fall under unpowered watercraft regs.
When in doubt call the region office where you plan to go and ask. 
On side note I did see where you have to have a sound producing device on all kayaks and canoes.
Mike 

fishin coyote is correct!  slabdaddy is incorrect.  You don't need to wear them, but you need them with you, unless you're 12 or under and methinks you're not or if you're planning a winter float!  :)
 
 
 
All boats must have a USCG-approved wearable (Type I, II, III, or V) life jacket on board for each person. In addition to wearable life jackets, boats 16 feet and over must have a throwable device (Type IV) on board. Canoes and kayaks, regardless of length, are not required to carry a throwable device.
Type V life jackets must be used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label.
All life jackets must be in good and serviceable condition and legibly marked showing the USCG approval number. This means the life jacket must be fully functional, free of tears or defects in the material. All buckles, straps, zippers and other closures must be operable.
Wearable life jackets must be “readily accessible,” which means that the PFDs (personal flotation devices) are stowed where they can be easily reached or that they are out in the open ready to wear. Type IV flotation devices (throwables) must be “immediately available,” which means that the device cannot be in a protective covering and shall be within arm’s reach of the operator or passenger while the boat is operated. A PFD that is sealed in its original packaging is not readily accessible or immediately available.
Life jackets must be the appropriate size for the person intended and adjusted to wear.
Who Must Wear A Life Jacket?

• Children 12 years of age and younger on Commonwealth waters when underway in any boat 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes and kayaks.
• On Pittsburgh District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes (only), everyone in boats under 16 feet and in all canoes and kayaks.
• All water skiers and anyone towed behind boats, in addition to personal watercraft operators and passengers, and sailboarders (windsurfers) are required to wear a life jacket. Inflatable life jackets are not acceptable for these activities.
• Boaters are required, by law, to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak during the cold weather months from November 1 through April 30.*

 

Google is your friend:
 
http://www.fish.state.pa....press/paddler-info.htm
 
Kayaks, Canoes, Inflatable Rafts and Paddleboards:
What You Need to Know! July 20, 2011 Harrisburg, PA – Kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts and paddleboards are increasing in popularity with the summer heat.  The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding operators of these watercraft that it is important to know what safety equipment and regulations apply.  “Currently, unpowered boats are not required to be registered, unless they are being used at a state-owned access such as a Commission access area or lake or Pennsylvania state parks and state forests,” said Ryan Walt, PFBC boating and watercraft safety manager. “In these cases, you must either have your non-powered boat registered or have a launch permit issued by the Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.”
The cost to register a non-powered boat or to buy a launch permit is the same - $10 for one year or $18 for two - but registration provides additional benefits to the owner, Walt added. “By registering your boat, the information is recorded in our system and we can help you and the authorities locate it if it is ever lost or stolen.”
Registration also makes the renewal process easier. “Once your boat is registered, we will send you a renewal notice three months before the period is up,” said Walt. “It’s convenient and allows the owner to spend more time thinking about paddling and less time worrying about whether they renewed their registration or have a current launch permit.”
In addition to the registration requirement, important life-saving equipment is required to be carried on non-powered crafts.
Life jackets:
Every person in a kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard must have on board a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard-approved, wearable type I, II, III, or V life jacket of appropriate size. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear their life jackets while underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and on all canoes and kayaks. Life jackets save lives, so Wear It!
Sound producing device:
Unpowered boat operators are required to carry a device capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device. Clip it to your life jacket for easy access.
Lights:
Any kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard on the water after dusk must have a hand-held or installed white light to be displayed in time to avoid a collision with another craft.  When anchored or moored after dusk, an all-round white light must be displayed where it can best be seen 360 degrees.
Additional information about paddleboards:
Paddleboards are considered boats as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard if they are used outside the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or a bathing area. As such, they are subject to regulations administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the PFBC, including life jacket, sound producing device and navigation light requirements.
Additional information about inner tubes, float tubes, and inflatable rafts: 
Pennsylvania has no general law prohibiting the launching of inner tubes or tubing on Pennsylvania rivers.  Whether it is legal to launch or retrieve inner tubes at a particular access area depends on the regulations for that site. For instance, it is unlawful to launch or retrieve swimming aids, such as inner tubes and similar devices, from access areas managed for fishing and boating by the PFBC. 
However, on PFBC-controlled lakes, float tubes can be used if the user is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, is lawfully fishing, and is not propelled by a mechanical device.  A float tube is defined as a device constructed to provide stable flotation and a level ride to a single angler in a manner that minimizes the possibility of capsizing.  If using an inflatable raft on Commission property the raft must be at least 7 feet in length, made of durable, reinforced fabric and have at least two separate buoyancy chambers exclusive of any floor or bottom.
“As the summer continues to heat up, paddlers and tubers will be hitting the water to cool down,” Walt said. “Remember, safe boating saves lives, so know the waters you’re boating, always be on the lookout for what’s happening around you, and ‘Wear It!’”.
Registrations and launch permits may be purchased through PFBC offices, most county courthouses, boat dealers or through any other PFBC issuing agent. The DCNR launch permit can be purchased from any state park office.  For more information see the Boat Registration Section of our website at: http://fishandboat.com/registration.htm. 
The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website atfishandboat.com.
Contact

Eric Levis
717.705.7806
elevis@state.pa.us

 

gymi03

so..wait?? i was stalking bout a HUGE inner tube when i made my post...hmmm...confused i guess.

 
What are you confused about?  In your case, floating the Allegheny or French Creek in a tube, you don't need a PFD.  The state would like you to wear one but there is no law saying you must even have one on those waterways.  The law regarding tubes addresses floating PFBC controlled lakes where you DO need a PFD.  Hope that helps!
 

Nephew just finished the Pa boating course and he asked instructor and the short story is..
If the inflatable device requires registration numbers or a launch permit, a PFD is needed.