Mississippi § 59-21-81 - Requirements as to lights, personal flotation devices and other safety equipment; children required to wear personal flotation devices; vessels to be seaworthy; safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft.
Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 59-21-81 — Requirements as to lights, personal flotation devices and other safety equipment; children required to wear personal flotation devices; vessels to be seaworthy; safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 59-21-81. Requirements as to lights, personal flotation devices and other safety equipment; children required to wear personal flotation devices; vessels to be seaworthy; safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft.
Every vessel shall have on board a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device for each person aboard such vessel, and every person twelve (12) years or younger on board a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel which measures less than twenty-six (26) feet in length shall wear a type I, II, or III Coast Guard approved personal flotation device while such motorboat, sailboat, or vessel is underway. For the purpose of this section “underway” shall mean at all times except when a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel is anchored, moored, or aground. Every vessel shall have lights during the hours of darkness, which comply with all federal regulations applicable to vessels of its classification. Such vessel shall not be operated unless in a safe and seaworthy condition; the owner and operator shall employ such safety devices as may be necessary for the safe operation of such vessel, including an efficient natural or mechanical ventilating system when necessary for safe operation. In addition to the requirements imposed by this section, all vessels shall comply with all federal regulations applicable to vessels of such classification. For purposes of this subsection, “personal watercraft” means a vessel which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person on board or being towed behind is wearing a type I, type II or type III, personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.
Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 59-21-81
What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 59-21-81 cover?
Section 59-21-81 ("Requirements as to lights, personal flotation devices and other safety equipment; children required to wear personal flotation devices; vessels to be seaworthy; safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft.") is part of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Mississippi. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Mississippi § 59-21-81?
A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 59-21-81" (Mississippi). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Mississippi law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Mississippi official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Mississippi attorney.
How does Mississippi § 59-21-81 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Mississippi can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.