Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Other Equipment and Regulations
Diver-Down Flags
Persons scuba diving, skin diving, or snorkeling must
display a diver-down flag to mark their diving area. Vessels not engaged in
diving operations must stay at least 50 feet away from a displayed diver-down
flag. Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity.
- A rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe can be attached to a
vessel, float, or buoy.
- A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), at least 3.3 feet
(one meter) high and visible from all directions, must be displayed on vessels
on federally controlled waters. This flag indicates that the vessel is involved
in a diving activity.
DIvers Flag
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Alfa Flag
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Scuba divers and snorkelers should not place a
flag in an area already occupied by other boaters
or where their diving operation will impede
the normal flow of waterway traffic. Divers
also should follow all of the water safety rules
themselves. |
Skier-Down Flag
Boat operators towing persons on water skis or other
devices should carry and use a skier-down flag that is at least 12" x 12" in size
and blaze orange in color. The purpose of the flag is to indicate to other boaters
that there is a person or persons in the water near the vessel displaying the flag.
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Vessels towing person(s) should display a skier-down flag whenever the towed person(s) is in the water. |
Marine Events
Permits for regattas, motorboat or other boat races, marine
parades, tournaments, or exhibitions to be held on Iowa state waters must be
obtained by applying for authorization from the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources in advance of the event. If the event is being held on federally
controlled waters, a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard is required also.
Local Regulations
Local waterways may have specific equipment and operational
restrictions in addition to those covered in this chapter. Be sure to check
for local regulations before you go boating.
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