Utah state officials are expanding access to life-saving equipment through a statewide loaner station initiative to combat drowning risks as peak boating season arrives. The program, which includes all 23 water-based state parks, aims to remove financial and logistical barriers for recreators navigating Utah's waterways.
Expanding Access to Safety Gear
The expansion of Life Jacket Loaner Stations was announced in May 2026 by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation and the Utah Division of State Parks. The initiative, supported by Intermountain Children’s Health, provides free, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in various sizes for both children and adults.
Ty Hunter, the boating program manager for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, stated the initiative is designed to remove barriers and save lives. Hunter noted that a majority of boating-related drowning victims are not wearing life jackets, and making them free and accessible makes it easier for people to choose safety.
To assist recreators, the state launched an interactive map on recreation.utah.gov to help users locate the nearest loaner station before heading out. The program allows users to borrow a life jacket for the day and return it before leaving the area.
Strict Rules at Sand Hollow
As the summer season progresses, officials continue to remind the public of strict safety mandates. At Sand Hollow State Park, officials issued an alert stating that all vessels must be equipped with a properly fitted life jacket for every passenger on board.
Under Utah state law, children under the age of 13 are required to wear a life jacket at all times while a vessel is underway. This mandate applies to all watercraft, including paddleboards and kayaks. Officials emphasize that while children are legally required to wear them, adults should also wear life jackets to model safe behavior.
In addition to life jacket requirements, Sand Hollow State Park has implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions. These rules prohibit open fires except in approved fire rings or grills at developed campgrounds or day-use areas that utilize a pressurized running water system.
Legal Requirements and Safety Data
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation maintains that life jackets are critical for preventing fatalities. Data suggests that nationally, 80% of people who drown in boating accidents would have survived if they had been wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
Utah law requires at least one wearable, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. For boats measuring between 16 and 39 feet, vessels must carry at least one throwable PFD, while vessels 40 feet or greater must carry at least two throwable PFDs.
Specific restrictions also apply to inflatable life jackets. They may not be used by anyone under the age of 16, while operating or riding on a PFD, while being towed behind a vessel, or while boating on rivers.
Environmental and Operational Hazards
Safety considerations extend beyond life jackets to include environmental and operational hazards. The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation warns that weather can change rapidly in Utah, and boaters should always check forecasts to avoid dangerous lighting or high winds.
Operators are also warned against the risks of carbon monoxide, described by officials as a 'silent killer' because it is odorless and tasteless. Symptoms of exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Additionally, operators must turn off engines when people are in the water near the boat's propeller to prevent injury.
Boating under the influence remains a significant legal concern. In Utah, operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a DUI offense, which can result in fines, jail time, and the suspension of a driver's license.
Longstanding Boating Safety Efforts
The Utah Boating Program has worked to preserve quality for boating enthusiasts since 1959. The program is funded through boat registration fees, state taxes on gasoline used in motorboats, and federal recreational boating safety funds.
Beyond safety equipment, the state provides resources for various water activities, including fishing, ice safety, and aquatic invasive species decontamination. Localized information, such as fishing proclamations, remains available at visitor centers to ensure visitors follow current regulations.
