Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Requirements Specific to Personal Watercraft (PWCs)

In addition to adhering to all boating laws, personal watercraft (PWC) operators have requirements specific to their vessel.

• Each person on board a personal watercraft must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD. Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use on PWCs.
• PWCs may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.
• If the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch, it must be maintained in an operable condition and must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator whenever the PWC is running and in use.
• There are age and boater education restrictions for operators of personal watercraft.
  • Persons under 12 years of age may operate a PWC only if accompanied on board by a responsible person who is at least 18 years old and experienced in operating a PWC.
  • Persons 12 years of age or older but younger than 18 may operate a PWC only if he or she has completed successfully an approved boater education course or is accompanied on board by a responsible person who is at least 18 years old and experienced in operating a PWC.
• It is illegal to operate a PWC in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of anyone. For example, it is illegal to operate a PWC:
  • At greater than “slow - no wake speed” in any posted “no wake zone”
  • At greater than 5 miles per hour (mph) within 100 feet of another vessel that is underway at 5 mph or less
  • At greater than 5 mph within 50 feet of another vessel that is 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 (except in specially zoned areas) on any inland lake or federal impoundment
• It is illegal to chase or harass wildlife with a PWC.

Remember—As an owner of a PWC, you are responsible legally if you allow the PWC to be operated in violation of Iowa law.

Be Part of the Action! Learn more about operating a PWC with this interactive animation. (Most students will already have Flash installed. If not, follow this link to install the Flash Player.)

Towing a Person with a Vessel Legally

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device must obey these laws also.

• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or other device must have on board, in addition to the operator, a responsible person in a position to observe the progress of the person(s) being towed.
• All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis, a surfboard, or other device must wear a USCG–approved personal flotation device (life jacket). Inflatable PFDs are not approved for use by persons being towed.
• A boat may tow a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or other device between sunrise and one-half hour after sunset only. If the towing vessel is a PWC, it may tow between sunrise and sunset only.
• It is illegal to operate any vessel in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner. Specifically, it is illegal to operate a vessel:
  • At greater than 5 miles per hour (mph) within 100 feet of another vessel that is underway at 5 mph or less
  • At greater than 5 mph within 50 feet of another vessel that is underway at greater than 5 mph
• A person may not operate a vessel if its capacity would be exceeded by the persons in the vessel plus the persons being towed. If towing a person with a PWC, the PWC must be rated to carry at least three people—the operator, the observer, and the person being towed.
• Exemptions to these regulations exist for performers engaged in professional exhibitions authorized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
• It is recommended that boaters use a skier-down flag. This flag should be raised into the air when the towed person(s) is in the water preparing to be towed or awaiting pick up by the towing vessel.

If towing a skier with a PWC, the PWC must be rated for at least three people—the operator, the observer, and the retrieved skier.