Q:  Are PWC Facilities Required to Have a Throwable (Type IV) PFD?

A:  Facility requirements are established by the respective Offer for Use Form, supplemented by District DIRAUX policy.  Although the most current PWC Facility Offer for Use Form (7008 dated 06-11) no longer has a throwable PFD as a requirement, that requirement can still be supplemented by the District DIRAUX. 

Although COMDTINST M16794.54A (Auxiliary Boat Crew Qualification Guide, Volume III: PWC Operator) still indicates the need for a throwable PFD, qualification guides do not establish facility requirements; rather it is the form.  This instruction is dated January 2007 and significantly predates the latest PWC Offer for Use Form.

Bottom Line:  Check with your DIRAUX through your PWCO (QE) and your Chain of Leadership.

Source:  Dir-Vd as of April 2016