Welcome Iowa Boaters!

This handbook is published by Boat Ed, the official provider of Iowa's boating safety course. Although this handbook is a convenient reference tool, students wanting to receive official Iowa boating safety certification would benefit from studying Boat Ed's comprehensive boat safety course.

All boating safety course material has been developed in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and is the same material used in their classroom courses. Take the official Iowa boating safety course.

In This Handbook

It's the Law includes: registering and titling, registration fees, display of numbers, legal operating age, required equipment, unlawful operation, boating under the influence, reporting accidents, enforcement, environmental restrictions, and laws governing PWC and vessels towing skiers.

Boating Basics includes: vessel length and capacity, fueling, float plans, navigational rules, U.S. Aids to Navigation, weather and other boating emergencies, and personal watercraft (PWC) basics.

Also included in this handbook are pages and links to other useful information for boaters: a boater's telephone directory, Iowa motor regulations for lakes, and information on the public use of waters for navigation purposes.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Officers patrol our waterways to make your boating experience safe and pleasant. Cooperate with them by following the suggestions outlined in this manual as well as the rules of common courtesy while operating your boat. Get started!