Who is responsible for ensuring that all passengers wear a PFD on a boat?

The responsibility for ensuring that all passengers wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) on a boat lies with the boat operator. This is because the operator is in charge of the vessel's safety and must ensure compliance with boating laws and regulations. It is their duty to inform passengers of the requirement to wear PFDs, especially in situations where it is mandated by law, such as for children or in specific boating conditions.

While the boat owner obviously has an interest in safety and may set rules for their vessel, it is primarily the operator who oversees the current situation on board and is responsible for the safety practices during the outing. Individual passengers are expected to follow guidelines set by the operator, and while the Coast Guard plays a role in enforcing boating regulations, they are not responsible for the actions of passengers on a given boat. Therefore, the operator must actively monitor and ensure that all passengers are properly wearing their life jackets to promote the safety of everyone on board.