D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 19, r. 19-1034
No owner, operator, or other person having charge or control of any vessel shall permit or cause that vessel to be underway in District of Columbia waters, unless the vessel has on board the requisite number and type of approved personal floatation devices for each person on board for that type of vessel, as determined by the Coast Guard.
All vessels and associated equipment on all vessels shall comply with the requirements and standards promulgated pursuant to the "Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971" ( 46 U.S.C. §§ 1451etseq.) and the "Motorboat Act of 1940" ( 46 U.S.C. §§ 526etseq.).
Each vessel carrying passengers for hire, and all commercial vessels forty feet (40 ft.) and over not carrying passengers for hire, shall have at least one type I Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device of a suitable size for each person on board.
Each commercial vessel not hired for the purpose of carrying passengers that is less than forty feet (40 ft.) in length shall have at least one type I, II, or III Coast Guard- approved personal floatation device of a suitable size for each person on board.
Except as specifically provided in §§ 1034.3 and 1034.4, all vessels shall have on board the requisite number and type of approved personal floatation devices for each person on board for the type of vessel underway, as determined by the Coast Guard.
All vessels and associated equipment on all vessels shall comply with boat and safety equipment standards promulgated pursuant to the "Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971" ( 45 U.S.C. §§ 1451etseq.).
The Mayor may promulgate additional regulations, not inconsistent with § 10 of the "Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971" ( 46 U.S.C. § 1459) and the regulations promulgated under that statute, relating to requirements for associated equipment on vessels.
Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices designed to be worn shall be in good and serviceable condition and readily accessible at all times to each person on board a vessel.
Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices designed to be thrown shall be in good and serviceable condition and placed on board so as to be immediately available at all times.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 19, r. 19-1034