As an addition to my last reply, we did indeed discuss the subject of lifejackets in another thread. It was the contention of one of our members that as an experienced boater, if he wore a life jacket other people would think him daft and look at him funny. My stance was simple: To heck what other people think, do what is right, possibly save his and his wife’s life and wear the derned jacket! Being “cool” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Dead people are cool and get downright cold.
When we went on the duck tour in Boston, we were not asked to don lifejackets. I don't recall anyone even mentioning them.