Missouri Boating Handbook Table of Contents

• Home Page
• Boater Education

Missouri State Water Patrol and You

An overview of the State Water Patrol and the services it provides to those who enjoy the waterways of Missouri

• Programs and Services
• Safety Inspections
• History

Boating Basics

The basic information that every vessel operator needs to know in order to have a boating experience that is both safe and enjoyable

Boating Basics: Before Going Out

• Vessel Length Classes
• Vessel Capacity
• Fueling a Vessel
• Fuel Selector Switch on a PWC
• Backfire Flame Arrestors
• Marine Theft Prevention
• Filing a Float Plan
• Pre-Departure Checklist
• Sample Float Plan

Boating Basics: On the Water

• Encountering Other Vessels
• Encountering Vessels with Limited Maneuverability
• Navigation Rules
• Nighttime Navigation
• U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATON)
• Non-Lateral Markers
• Weather Emergencies
• Other Boating Emergencies

Boating Basics: 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

It's the Law!

Whatever kind of vessel you are operating, you must know and obey these Missouri boating laws

It's The Law: Before Going Out

• Registering and Titling Your Vessel
• Other Facts About Titling and Registration
• Schedule of Fees to Register and Title Your Vessel
• Registering and Titling Outboard Motors
• Where to Title and Register Your Vessel
• Registering Documented Vessels
• In-lieu Watercraft Tax
• Hull Identification Number
• Buying or Selling a Vessel
• Marine Events
• Who May Operate a Motorboat or PWC

It's The Law: Required Equipment

• Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
• Navigation Lights
• Fire Extinguishers
• Ventilation System
• Mufflers
• Sound-Producing Devices
• Other Equipment and Regulations
  • Diver-Down Flags
  • Skier-Down Flags
  • Use of Fireworks

It's The Law: On The Water

• Negligent, Reckless, and Other Illegal Operations
  • Reckless Operation
  • Overloading
  • Riding on the Bow, Deck, or Gunwale
  • Improper Speed or Distance
  • Exceeding Night Speed Limit
  • Violating Skier Down Flag Requirement
• Obstructing or Impeding Navigation
• Enforcement
• Alcohol and Drugs—Zero Tolerance!
• Accidents and Your Responsibilities
• Reporting an Emergency
• Discharge of Waste
• Discharge of Trash
• Discharge of Oil and Other Hazardous Substances

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

Safety Tips for Other Water Activities

• Swimming
• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
• Avoiding Propeller Strike Injuries

Other Information

• Equipment Required by Missouri State Law
• Missouri State Water Patrol Contact Information