Mississippi Boating Requirements: What You Need To Know

If you're planning to take a boat out on the waters of Mississippi, there are a number of requirements you'll need to meet. These include age and education requirements, as well as specific equipment that you'll need to have on board.

Boat registration requirements

To legally operate a motorized boat or sailboat in Mississippi, you must obtain a Certificate of Number (registration card) and validation decals. The Certificate of Number must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is in operation.

The Certificate of Number and validation decals can be obtained by submitting an application and paying a fee to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). Boat registrations are valid for three years and expire on the last day of the month in which the original or transferred certificate was received.

All motorized boats, including trolling motors and sailboats, that are principally operated on Mississippi's public waters must be registered. Boats in Mississippi are required to correctly display their registration number and validation stickers.

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• The numbers must be applied as a decal, painted, or permanently affixed to each side of the boat's bow. Boat owners are not permitted to display any other numbers in this area.
• The numbers must be in bold block letters that are at least 3 inches high and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers must be separated from the letters by a hyphen or by an equivalent space.
• The numbers must be read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Validation decals must be affixed on both sides of the boat, preceding the prefix letters of the registration number and within 6 inches of the registration number.

If a registered vessel is sold or transferred to another person, the buyer must apply for the Certificate of Number to be transferred to their name within 10 days of the purchase date.

Boating education requirements

To operate a boat in Mississippi, you must comply with the state's boating education requirements. These requirements include:

Age and Operator Restrictions

All persons born after 30 June 1980 must have passed a boating education course approved by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to legally operate a vessel. This is known as the Mississippi Boater Education Certificate or Card. The certificate must be carried on board the boat during operation and be available for inspection by an enforcement officer.

Age-Specific Requirements

Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to operate any boat within the state of Mississippi unless they have obtained a Boating Education Certificate and are supervised on board by someone aged 21 or over.

Boating Safety Courses

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Marine Patrol offers free approved boating education classes to the public along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. BOATsmart! also offers an online course, which, once completed, allows you to print a temporary card immediately. A permanent card will be mailed within four weeks.

Personal flotation device requirements

Personal flotation devices, also known as life jackets, are a crucial safety feature when boating in Mississippi. Here are the requirements for personal flotation devices (PFDs) that you should be aware of:

PFD Requirements for All Vessels

All vessels operating in Mississippi's waters, regardless of their length, are required to carry at least one wearable, U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person on board. These PFDs must be in good condition, readily accessible in case of an emergency, and properly sized for the intended wearer based on their body weight and chest size.

Additional PFD Requirements for Longer Vessels

Vessels that are 16 feet or longer must also have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type IV PFD on board, which can be either a ring buoy or a seat cushion. This additional PFD ensures that there are enough flotation devices accessible in case of an emergency.

PFD Requirements for Children

In Mississippi, special attention is given to the safety of children on board. All passengers who are 12 years of age or younger and are on a vessel that is 26 feet or less in length must wear a PFD at all times when the vessel is underway. This regulation ensures that younger passengers are protected during their time on the water.

PFD Requirements for Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Personal watercraft, such as jet skis, have specific PFD requirements. The operator and all passengers on a PWC must wear a Type I, II, or III PFD while underway. Additionally, anyone being towed behind the PWC, such as water skiers or tubers, is also required to wear a PFD. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety of all participants in water sports activities.

PFD Requirements for Vessels South of Interstate 10 (I-10)

In Mississippi waters south of Interstate 10 (I-10), there are specific PFD requirements. Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC in these waters must wear a Type I, II, or III U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD. This regulation ensures that boaters in this particular area have the necessary safety equipment.

Fire extinguisher requirements

In Mississippi, all vessels are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher onboard if one or more of the following conditions exist:

• Closed compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks are stored
• Closed storage compartments in which flammable or combustible materials are stored
• Closed living spaces
• Permanently installed fuel tanks

Approved types of fire extinguishers are labeled “Marine Type USCG Approved,” followed by the size and type symbols and the approved number.

Fire extinguishers must:

• Be on board and readily accessible
• Be of an approved type
• Not be expired or appear to have been previously used
• Be maintained in good and serviceable working condition, meaning:
• If the extinguisher has a pressure gauge reading or indicator, it must be in the operable range or position
• The lock pin is firmly in place
• The discharge nozzle is clean and free of obstruction
• The extinguisher does not show visible signs of significant corrosion or damage

Visual distress signal requirements

Visual distress signals are mandatory on all boats when used on coastal waters, including the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and waters directly connected to the Great Lakes and territorial seas. These signals are also required on boats owned in the United States when navigating the high seas. The only exceptions are during the daytime (from sunrise to sunset) for:

• Recreational boats under 16 feet in length
• Boats participating in organised events such as races, regattas, or marine parades
• Open sailboats without propulsion machinery and under 26 feet in length
• Manually propelled boats

The above-mentioned boats only need to carry night signals when used on these waters after sunset.

Types of Visual Distress Signals

Both pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic signalling devices can be used to meet the requirements. Pyrotechnic devices include:

• Red flares (hand-held or aerial)
• Orange smoke signals (hand-held or floating)
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute flares

Non-pyrotechnic devices include:

• Orange distress flags
• Electric distress lights

Requirements for Visual Distress Signals

To meet the requirements, you must carry a combination of devices that provide three signals for daytime use and three for night-time use. Here are some examples of combinations that meet these requirements:

• Three hand-held red flares (for day and night)
• One electric distress light (for night only)
• One hand-held red flare and two parachute flares (for day and night)
• One hand-held orange smoke signal, two floating orange smoke signals (for day), and one electric distress light (for night only)

It is important to note that pyrotechnic devices have an expiration date of 42 months from the date of manufacture, and only unexpired flares count towards the legal requirement. Non-pyrotechnic devices must carry the manufacturer's certification that they meet Coast Guard requirements.

When to Use Visual Distress Signals

Visual distress signals are intended to summon help in an emergency. They are most effective when used when there is someone in the vicinity to see them, such as another boat or airplane, or someone on shore who can take action. Good judgment is crucial when deciding to use these signals.

Frequently asked questions