Starting Nov. 1, paddlers and small boat owners and passengers on all Pennsylvania waters will be required to wear a life jacket while under way or at anchor.

Boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak are subject to the state regulation passed in September by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The regulation will be in effect through April 30.

“Life jackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on a boat,” Laurel Anders, director of the PFBC Bureau of Boating and Outreach, said in a news release. “According to Pennsylvania’s boating accident reports, almost 80 percent of all boating fatalities happen to boaters not wearing a life jacket. A disproportionate number of the fatalities occur during the months of November through April. During these cold weather months, boaters are especially at risk due to the water temperature and the risk of sudden cold water immersion.”

Read up on boating safety.

Be aware that New York’s cold-weather life-jacket boating law goes into effect Sunday, Nov. 1.

Those people operating or aboard motorboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats and sailboats less than 21 feet must wear personal flotation devices while they are on the water from Nov. 1 to May 1. Violations could cost $25 to $100 each.

Kids under 12 on boats 65 feet or less must wear life jackets regardless of the time year.

Check out Pennsylvania’s life jacket guidelines.