Missouri State Water Patrol Programs and Services
A Special Message to the Boaters of Missouri

The Missouri State Water Patrol has the responsibility of patrolling the major waterways in Missouri. These include: 272,770 acres of lakes with 5,500 miles of shoreline; 519 miles of the Mississippi River and 533 miles of the Missouri River. The Water Patrol is also responsible for patrolling all tributaries of these waterways.

The acreage of recreational water and the number of registered boats have both increased significantly in recent years in Missouri. In an attempt to reduce boating accidents and related fatalities, the Water Patrol provides water safety education programs to schools statewide. These water safety programs target our state’s children (future water enthusiasts) through the elementary and secondary school systems. The programs are taught by Water Patrol officers during the winter months. We believe that knowledge and awareness gleaned from the educational programs, in conjunction with enforcement, have had the desired effect of keeping down the injury and fatality rates from boating accidents.

The Water Patrol also provides other services to the public. Among these services are: providing safety exhibits; inspecting safety equipment in boats; investigating water related accidents; investigating complaints; investigating criminal activities and assisting other law enforcement departments; patrolling regattas, races, fishing tournaments, skiing exhibitions and other water related events; administering first aid; authorizing placement of navigation buoys and investigating navigational obstructions.

Missouri State Water Patrol Safety Inspections

The Missouri State Water Patrol inspects over 10,000 vessels annually. A safety inspection determines compliance with state law on required equipment for vessels. A typical safety inspection will involve checking the following items:

• The certificate of number (registration) for the vessel to determine if the
  registration is current.
• The registration number display to determine if number spacing, height, block style and contrasting color requirements are correct.
• Personal Flotation Devices are checked for accessibility, serviceability, proper size, quantity and type.
• Sounding devices are checked for operability. Bells are checked for vessels over 40 feet in length.
• Fire extinguishers are checked for proper type, size and adequate charge.
• Ventilation systems are checked for functional operation.
• Mufflers are checked to determine compliance with sound level requirements, when applicable.
• When marine toilets are onboard they are inspected for proper storage of waste materials.
• Outboard motors are checked for the registration decal and motor serial
  number.
• Navigation lights are checked to make sure the colored lenses are in the correct positions. Navigation lights are not required to pass a safety inspection, unless you intend to operate your boat after dark.

Upon successful completion of a safety inspection, the boat owner is awarded a safety inspection decal that signifies compliance with Missouri boating equipment requirements.
This decal is affixed by the Water Patrol Officer immediately behind the registration number
displayed on the “port” side of the vessel.

Contact the Water Patrol at 573-751-3333.

A History of the State Water Patrol

In 1959, legislation was enacted to create the Missouri Boat Commission. The purpose of the commission was to make the waters of the state safe for boating and other water related activities through registration, inspection, education, and law enforcement. In 1974, the Omnibus State Reorganization Act transferred the Boat Commission to the Department of Public Safety and the agency was named the Division of Water Safety. In 1989, the agency name was changed to the Missouri State Water Patrol. Since 1959, the authorized number of patrol officers has grown from eight to eighty-seven highly trained, professional officers.

The Missouri State Water Patrol operates in a quasi-military fashion with authority being delegated by rank to patrol officers who are responsible for carrying out the day-to-day priorities of work set by the Commissioner. The Commissioner is appointed by the governor and holds the rank of colonel. Second in command, and assistant to the Commissioner, is the Director of Field Services who holds the rank of major. The major is responsible for the supervision of all field activities and operations of the Water Patrol. The state is divided into six districts with a captain in charge of each district. The captains are assisted in the supervision of their districts by one sergeant and one corporal who come from within the ranks.

Contact Information

Missouri State Water Patrol
P. O. Box 1368
Jefferson City, MO 65102
tel: 573-751-3333

Missouri State Water Patrol—Everything you need to know about boating in Missouri is just a click away! Visit the Missouri State Water Patrol website.