OAR 437-004-1070: Working Underway on Water

(1) Definitions. (a) Boat — means every description of water craft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, but does not include aircraft built to land on the water. Examples include rowboats, powerboats, rafts, barges, pontoons, and dredges. (b) Underway — means when a boat is in or on the water and on the move — not at anchor, not moored, and not made fast to the shore. (2) Personal flotation devices. (a) Workers in boats that are underway must wear Coast Guard approved or equivalent, wearable personal flotation devices (PFD). Exception: A worker below deck or in an enclosed part of a boat like a cabin or pilot house, need not wear the PFD but must have it readily available. (b) The PFD provided must be: (A) The right size for the wearer; (B) Able to perform the function that the manufacturer intended; and (C) Maintained according to the manufacturer’s requirements and recommendations.