Iowa Boating Handbook Table of Contents

What is a vessel? In this handbook, the term “vessel” means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water or ice.

• Home Page
• Boater Education

It's The Law: Before Going Out

• Registering Your Vessel
• Where to Register
• Registration Fees
• Other Facts about Titling and Registration
• Buying or Selling a Vessel
• Display of Vessel Capacity
• Hull Identification Number
• Marine Events
• Who May Operate a Vessel

It's The Law: Required Equipment

• Personal Flotation Devices
• Navigation Lights
• Fire Extinguishers
• Backfire Flame Arrestors
• Ventilation Systems
• Mufflers and Noise Limits
• Sound-Producing Devices
• Visual Distress Signals

It's The Law: On The Water

• Unlawful Operation of a Vessel
• Diver-Down Flag
• Obstructing Navigation
• Homeland Security Restrictions
• Enforcement
• Alcohol and Drugs
• Vessel Accidents and Casualties
• Discharge of Trash
• Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances
• Discharge of Sewage and Waste
• Aquatic Nuisance Species

It's the Law: Specifically for PWCs

• Requirements Specific to PWCs
• Sharing Your PWC—Safely!

It's the Law: Specifically For Skiing

• Requirements for Towing Skiers
• Hand Signals for Skiers

Boating Basics: Before Going Out

• Vessel Length Classes
• Vessel Capacity
• Fueling a Vessel
• Fuel Selector Switch on a PWC
• Preventing Theft
• Trailering Your Vessel Safely
• Filing a Float Plan
• Pre-Departure Checklist
  

Boating Basics: On the Water

• Encountering Other Vessels
• Navigation Rules
• Nighttime Navigation
• U.S. Aids to Navigation System
• Weather Emergencies

Boating Basics: On the Water Specifically for PWCs

• Steering and Stopping a PWC
• Ignition Safety Switches
• Reboarding a Capsized PWC
• Courtesy When Encountering Other Vessels
• Environmental Considerations
• Other PWC Considerations

Additional Information

• Motor Regulations for Lakes
• Conservation Officers
• Public Use Waters
• Sunrise and Sunset Table
• Required Equipment Checklist
• PDF Version of this Handbook (prints well)