State Law vs. Federal Law

Registration and Numbering Requirements:

Before operating your vessel on Iowa's public waters, it must be properly registered and numbered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. All watercraft operators (unless listed below) must carry aboard their certificate of registration and display valid registration numbers and decals. The following are exempted from registration:

• Inflatable vessels 7 feet in length or less that have no motor or sail
• Canoes and kayaks 13 feet in length or less that have no motor or sail
• Vessels properly registered in another state and not remaining in Iowa waters for more than 60 consecutive days.

Iowa vessel owners who opt to document their boat with the U.S. Coast Guard are not exempt from registration with the state and must display the state registration decals.

To register your vessel, visit the Iowa DNR website or the County Recorder in the county of residence of the owner if the owner is a resident, or in the county where the vessel is principally used if the owner is a non-resident.

Once in receipt of required information and fees, the IADNR will issue a certificate of registration which must be kept aboard at all times and must be readily available for inspection by law enforcement personnel. You will also receive a registration number and registration decals. The registration certificate and decal are valid for three years and expire on April 30th of the last calendar year of the registration period.

The boat registration certificate and decal are valid for three years!

You must display your registration decals and registration numbers (beginning with IA) on the forward half of your vessel in a place where it can be easily read by law enforcement officials. Letters and numbers must be at least 3" tall and must be black or another color that contrasts with the hull. The registration decals must be in line with and within 4" of the registration number, toward the stern.

A sailboat that is propelled by sail alone may display their number so that it provides maximum visibility, including placement on the mast. A sailboard is exempt from displaying numbers. However, owners must display the validation decal on the bottom surface of the bow of the sailboard.

All vessels 17 feet or longer that require registration are also required to be titled anytime they are sold or traded. Canoes, kayaks, and inflatables are exempt from titling unless there is a lien against them.

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, Iowa has the following requirements for wearing a PFD:

Additional Equipment Requirements:

Beyond minimum federal equipment requirements, some states may have other requirements for certain bodies of water. Please check with your local waterway authority before heading out. Following are some of the equipment requirements for Iowa State Waters:

• Boats propelled with an outboard motor greater than 10 horsepower (hp) are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher aboard.
• Boats less than 26 feet long must have on board a whistle or other device capable of producing sound audible for at least one-half mile. PWCs do not need a sound producing device in Iowa.
• Boats 26 feet and longer must have on board a whistle, horn, or other device capable of producing sound audible for at least one-half mile.

The Iowa DNR also recommends consideration of the following items depending on the size of your vessel and the area where you boat:

• Compass and charts
• Marine VHF radio/cell phone
• Anchoring equipment
• Bailing device
• Spare parts & tools
• Extra starting battery
• Oars or paddles
• Flashlight

Mufflers and Noise Levels:

Any boat operated on the waters of Iowa must be muffled to effectively reduce vessel noise. An effective muffling system is required for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine and the use of cut-outs is prohibited.

Iowa has these specific noise limits: In a stationary sound level test, engines manufactured before January 1, 1993, must not exceed a noise level of 90 dBA. Engines manufactured on or after January 1, 1993, must not exceed a noise level of 88 dBA. Additionally, if a shoreline sound level test is administered, engines must not exceed a sound level of 75 dBA.

In general, you should not modify your factory exhaust if the result makes it louder!

Loud boat noise not only bothers other operators and users of the waterways, it can also disrupt peace ashore because of sound's ability to travel great distances over water. Excessive noise can also prevent a boat operator from hearing other boats' sound signals and warnings and can prevent you from hearing approaching law or rescue personnel.

Requirements for Waste Discharge:

• It is illegal to throw, discharge or deposit any refuse matter of any kind (including trash garbage and oil) into any waters of this state.
• All boats that have on-board toilets must have a method to collect and contain all waste products, preventing it from entering surrounding waters. Iowa law forbids the discharge of sewage or any waste derived from sewage in the state waters of Iowa.

• Type I and II MSDs must have a “Y” valve secured to allow for waste to enter a proper on board holding tank for future drainage at a pump-out station. Type III MSDs will typically have a built-in holding tank with no external plumbing and cannot be pumped overboard. Type III MSDs must be pumped ashore at a proper facility.
• Discharge of fuel, oil or any oil product, including contaminated bilge water, is strictly prohibited. All boats 26 feet or longer must properly display a 5x8 inch Oily Waste Discharge placard near the bilge pump switch.
• All boats 26 feet or longer, when operating in waters under federal jurisdiction, must display an informational placard on the subject of federal marine pollution prevention laws. The placard must be 4x9 inches and placed in a location where crew and passengers can read it.

• All boats 40 feet or longer operating more than 3 miles from shore that are equipped with a galley and berthing, must also carry a Waste Management Plan. This plan must outline procedures for proper marine pollution regulations for garbage management and designate a person in charge for carrying out this plan.

Boater Age and Horsepower Restrictions:

Iowa requires supervision and education certification for the following boat operators:

• Boaters under the age of 12 may operate a vessel with a motor greater than 10 hp (including PWCs) provided they are accompanied by a responsible person at least 18 years of age and experienced with operating the vessel.
• Boaters 12 years of age and older, but younger than 18, may operate a vessel with a motor greater than 10 hp (including PWCs) provided:
  • they have successfully completed a boating safety education course approved by the IA DNR, or
  • they are accompanied on board by a person at least 18 years old and experienced with operating the vessel.
• Boat operators required to have completed a boating safety course must carry their National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety certificate with them at all times while operating a vessel propelled by a motor of more than ten horsepower.
• Iowa also recognizes any NASBLA approved certificate of completion from any other states. This is based on the core standards that are agreed upon for reciprocity.

Unlawful Operation:

No person shall operate any vessel, including a PWC, or manipulate water skis or similar towed devices in a reckless or negligent manner. The failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering life, limb, or property may be considered reckless and negligent. Below are just a few of the prohibited methods of operation in Iowa.

• Operating a boat while intoxicated.
• Operating a boat within an area clearly marked as restricted.
• Failing to maintain a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel.
• Operating a vessel in such a way that will unnecessarily interfere with the safe navigation of other vessels on the waterway.
• Operating a vessel beyond the recommended safe carrying capacity of passengers or cargo or to equip a boat in excess of its safe power as stated on the capacity plate and vessel registration.
• Leaving a vessel unattended anchored away from the shore unless it is attached to a legal mooring buoy.
• Leaving a vessel unattended tied or moored to a dock immediately adjacent to a public boat launching ramp or to a dock that is posted for loading or unloading.

Boat and PWC Speed Limits:

Boat speed limits are regulated by law for certain areas and conditions. When no speed limit is posted you should operate your boat so that it will not endanger others or cause injury, damage, or unnecessary inconvenience. Always keep a proper lookout and never load a boat with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity.

• In Iowa, a "slow-no-wake" speed is that speed at which a vessel does not produce a wake.
• White buoys or signs with red or orange markings indicate speed limits and no-wake zones.
• In Iowa, it is illegal to operate:
  • At greater than slow-no-wake speed in designated areas
  • At greater than 5 miles per hour (mph) within 100 feet of another vessel underway at 5 mph or less
  • At greater than 5 mph within 50 feet of another vessel underway at greater than 5 mph
  • At greater than 10 mph unless vision is unobstructed for at least 200 feet ahead
  • At greater than 10 mph within 300 feet of shore, unless specially zoned, on any inland lake or federal impoundment

Special Activities Restrictions, Considerations and Recommendations:

Many states regulate certain other water-related activities. For your safety, and for those who may be in the water, you should abide by these special laws:

Special Activities, Restrictions & Requirements:

• It is illegal to chase or harass wildlife with a PWC.
• PWCs may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
• Owner of personal watercraft (PWC) with a cutoff switch must keep it in working order.
• A person shall not operate a PWC equipped with a cutoff switch without first attaching the lanyard to the operator’s person.
• The lanyard must be attached when the PWC is running or in use.
• When engaged in water skiing or other tow-sports, a competent observer must be aboard to observe the progress of the person(s) being towed.
• Vessels and PWCs used for water skiing or similar tow-sports must have the capacity to accommodate the operator, the observer, all passengers and the person(s) being towed.
• Water skiing and similar tow-sports may only take place during the hours from sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; if the towing vessel is a PWC, then towing activities must only take place from sunrise to sunset.
• Scuba divers and snorkelers must display a red and white diver flag when persons are in the water. All other vessels not involved in the activity must remain at least 50 feet away.
• Vessels engaged in diving operations and restricted in their ability to maneuver, must display a blue and white "alfa" flag when operating in federal waters.

Operating Under the Influence

Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) is illegal in Iowa. Iowa law prohibits the operation of any vessel or the manipulation of any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or combination thereof.

As on the roadways, on-water enforcement officers may administer sobriety tests to determine level of sobriety. Specifically, Iowa law states that no person may have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10% or greater while operating a boat. Refusal to submit to testing can result in a fine and BWI convictions can bring additional fines and/or jail time.

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance

Enforcement officers of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources have the duty to provide for safety on the water and have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels to enforce Iowa boating laws. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard shares these duties with DNR officers to enforce federal laws on federal waters.

• Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official or halt progress as directed.
• It is illegal to elude or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer in a vessel, after being given a visual and audible signal to stop.
• When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you must reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.

Accident Reporting Requirements

What to do in an Accident:
Anyone involved in a boating accident is required to stop and give assistance as long as it will not personally endanger the operator, passengers or vessel. Operators involved in an accident shall remain at the scene to the extent it is safe and practical, and exchange personal and boat information with authorities and other involved parties. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources must be notified as soon as practical after the occurrence of an accident.

When to File an Accident Report Form:
Vessel operators involved in an accident must report the accident to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

• The operator must report the accident in writing to IDNR within 48 hours of the occurrence in cases that result in death, disappearance, or personal injuries requiring medical treatment.
• The operator must report the accident in writing to IDNR within five days if damage to the vessel and/or other property exceeds $2000.

Accident Report Forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website.

Other State Boating Laws

Often times counties, cities and districts within a state will have different, more restrictive laws. Boating laws are subject to change and it is your responsibility to be informed of the law as it applies to you and your on-water activities. To be absolutely certain about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contact your state boating agency.

It is Your Responsibility – Be Informed!

We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees.

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