Section 12:7-47.1 - Child under 12 required to wear personal flotation device on vessel underwaya. Every person who operates a vessel on the waters of this State with a child 12 years of age or under on board shall have the child wear at all times a properly fitted United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device whenever the vessel is underway.b. Any person guilty of violating this act shall be fined not less than $25 or more than $50.c. The operator of a vessel shall not be guilty of a violation of this act if a United States Coast Guard flotation device of a size to properly fit the child is not commercially available.