Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Iowa Required Equipment Checklist

indicates the equipment is required by state law. Other equipment requirements may apply to vessels longer than 40 feet.

Required Equipment	PWC	Boat Less than 16'	Boat 16' to Less than 26'
Boater Education Certificate on Board
Boater Education Certificate: Required for operators under 18 years of age.
Registration Certificate on Board
Registration Decals Displayed
Vessel Capacity Displayed
PFDs: Type I, II, III or V (one per person)
Every person on board a PWC must wear a PFD (life jacket) at all times.
PFD: Type IV	n/a	n/a
Type B-1 Fire Extinguisher
Backfire Flame Arrestor		Required on inboard and stern drives only.	Required on inboard and stern drives only.
Ventilation System
Muffler
Horn, Whistle, or Bell
Daytime Visual Distress Signals	n/a	n/a	Required only if operating on federally controlled waters.
Nighttime Visual Distress Signals	Some items are not applicable to personal watercraft since these vessels may not be operated between the hours of sunset to sunrise.	Required only if operating on federally controlled waters.	Required only if operating on federally controlled waters.
Navigation Lights	Some items are not applicable to personal watercraft since these vessels may not be operated between the hours of sunset to sunrise.