 A boat should have enough Coast Guard-approved life jackets on board for all passengers. Now, North Dakota law requires all children ages 10 and younger to wear a personal flotation device or life jacket while in boats less than 27 feet in length. The law also requires all personal watercraft users to wear a life jacket as well as anyone towed on skis, tubes, boards, or similar devices. However, state law allows an individual who is at least 16 years of age or older