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Life jackets are a vital piece of safety equipment on a vessel because they provide flotation and help prevent drowning in the event of an accidental fall overboard or capsizing. The United States Coast Guard mandates that every vessel must have an adequate number of life jackets on board for all passengers and crew, which ensures that everyone has access to a personal flotation device in an emergency. Life jackets are designed to keep an individual afloat and to assist in keeping their head above water, helping to increase the chances of survival until rescue. This requirement underscores the importance of personal safety and preparedness on the water.

Other equipment, such as flares and fire extinguishers, also plays important safety roles, but the foundational requirement for personal safety during any waterborne activity places life jackets at the forefront of essential safety gear. Navigational charts, while critical for safe navigation, do not directly contribute to personal safety in the same immediate way that life jackets do.