What must all children under 13 wear while boating in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, it is required that all children under the age of 13 wear a life jacket, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD), while the boat is underway. This law is in place to enhance safety on the water, as children are particularly vulnerable and may not have the same swimming capabilities as adults. Wearing a life jacket significantly increases their chances of survival in the event of an accident or if they fall overboard.

While wet suits can provide insulation for swimmers in cold water, they do not serve the same safety function as life jackets and are not required for all children in a boating situation. Similarly, flotation devices that may be used only when fishing do not meet the general safety requirement for all activities on the boat. Lastly, helmets are not standard safety equipment that must be worn while boating and are typically associated with activities like biking or certain water sports, not general boating. Thus, the law focuses specifically on the necessity of life jackets for young passengers on the water.