As the boat owner you are expected to make sure your vessel carries the required safety equipment and is in compliance with federal and state regulation.
The United States Coast Guard sets minimum standards for recreational vessels and associated safety equipment. To meet these standards, required equipment must be U.S. Coast Guard “approved” or “certified.”
Life Jackets
All recreational vessels must carry one wearable life jacket for each person onboard a boat 16 feet and longer except for canoes and kayaks. Vessels must also carry one throwable Type IV device. Life jackets must be worn always when the vessel is underway.
Visual Distress Signals
Vessels operating on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and territorial seas, as well as those waters connected directly, up to a point where the waterway is less than two nautical miles wide, must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals (VDS). Vessels owned in the United States and operating on the high seas must also be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals.
Fire Extinguishers
U.S. Coast Guard approved extinguishers required for boats are hand-portable, have either B-I or B-II classification, and must be provided with a mounting bracket. While not required, it is recommended that the extinguishers be mounted in a readily accessible location.
Pollution Regulations
Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 prohibits throwing, discharging, or depositing any refuse matter of any kind (including trash, garbage, oil, and other liquid pollutants) into the waters of the United States.
Marine Sanitation Devices
All recreational boats with installed toilet facilities must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.
The discharge of treated sewage is allowed within 3 nautical miles of shore except in designated “No Discharge Zone” areas. (Untreated sewage may be discharged beyond 3 nautical miles.)
Ventilation
Boats that use gasoline for electrical generation, mechanical power, or propulsion are required to be equipped with a ventilation system.
Backfire Flame Control
Gasoline engines installed in a motorboat or motor vessel after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must be equipped with an acceptable means of backfire flame control.
Sound Producing Devices
Navigation Rules require sound signals to be made under certain circumstances. Meeting, crossing, and overtaking situations.
Navigation Lights
Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc .)
Ref: uscgboating.org