Well, I've spent a lot of time on the water, and I'll tell you, it just isn't done. Ever. Yes, we are nanny-state in a lot of ways, but not this one, yet.
Life vests are available, but never worn on any commercial tour boat, nor are they often worn on any motorized pleasure boat. It's a comfort issue, mostly.... they aren't comfortable to wear. In all our pleasure boating in smaller craft than this one, we never wore a life vest except in our small dingy, and in our larger boat only in one particular bad storm.
Sad. The headline wouldn't be " 21 dead " if they had of taken that extra precaution. I still say prepare, PREPARE, PREPARE.......ok, call me a " scared cat"*Grin*