Iowa Code
Chapter 462A - WATER NAVIGATION REGULATIONS
Section 462A.9 - Classification and required equipment.

462A.9 Classification and required equipment.
1. Vessels subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be divided into four classes as follows:
a. Class I. Less than sixteen feet in length.
b. Class II. Sixteen feet or over and less than twenty-six feet in length.
c. Class III. Twenty-six feet or over and less than forty feet in length.
d. Class IV. Forty feet or over.
2. Every vessel, in all weathers, from sunset to sunrise, shall carry and exhibit the following lights when underway, and during that time shall exhibit no other lights which may be mistaken for those required except that the international lighting system as approved by the United States coast guard will be accepted for use on motorboats on the waters of this state.
a. Every motorboat of classes I and II shall carry the following lights:
(1) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon.
(2) A combined lantern in the fore part of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respective sides.
b. Every motorboat of classes III and IV shall carry the following lights:
(1) A bright white light in the fore part of the vessel as near the bow as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points on each side of the vessel; namely, from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on either side.
(2) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward.
(3) A green light on the starboard side so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the starboard side. A red light on the port side, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points of the compass so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on the port side. The said side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.
c. Vessels of classes I and II, when propelled by sail alone, shall carry the combined lantern, but not the white light aft prescribed by this section. Vessels of classes III and IV when so propelled, shall carry the colored side lights, suitably screened, but not the white lights required by this section.
d. Every white light required by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. Every colored light required by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile. The term “visible” in this section, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.
e. When propelled by sail and machinery, such motorboat shall carry the lights required by this section for a motorboat propelled by machinery only.
3. Every vessel shall carry and exhibit such other lights required by the rules and regulations of the commission.
4. Every motorboat of class II, III or IV shall be provided with an efficient whistle or other sound producing appliance.
5. Every motorboat of class III or IV shall be provided with an efficient bell.
6. Every vessel shall carry at least one life preserver, life belt, ring buoy or other device, of the sort prescribed by the rules of the commission, for each passenger, so placed as to be readily accessible. This does not apply to a vessel which is a racing shell used in the sport of sculling or to a sailboard while used for windsurfing.
7. Every motorboat shall be provided with such number, size and type of fire extinguishers capable of promptly and effectually extinguishing burning gasoline, as may be prescribed by the regulations of the commission. Such fire extinguishers shall, at all times, be kept in condition for immediate and effective use and shall be so placed as to be readily accessible. Vessels powered by outboard motors of ten horsepower or less, need not carry the extinguishers as provided herein.
8. a. The provisions of subsections 4, 5 and 7 of this section shall not apply to motorboats while competing in any race conducted pursuant to section 462A.16 or, if such boats are designed and used solely for racing, while engaged in such navigation as is incidental to the tuning up of the boats and engines for the race.
b. The operator of a motorboat, while engaged in such race, must wear a crash helmet and life preserver.
9. Every motorboat shall have the carburetor or carburetors of every engine therein, except outboard motors, using a liquid of a volatile nature as fuel, equipped with such efficient flame arrestor, backfire trap or other similar device as may be prescribed by the rules and regulations of the commission.
10. Every motorboat, except open boats, using any liquid of a volatile nature as fuel, shall be provided with the means prescribed by the rules of the commission for properly and efficiently ventilating the bilges of the engines and fuel tank compartments so as to remove any explosive or flammable gases.
11. The commission is hereby authorized to make rules and regulations modifying the equipment requirements contained in this section to the extent necessary for the safety of operators and passengers.
12. The commission is hereby authorized to establish such pilot rules as may be necessary for the safe operation of vessels on the waters of this state under the jurisdiction of the commission.
13. An owner of a personal watercraft equipped with a cut-off switch shall maintain the cut-off switch and the accompanying cut-off switch lanyard in an operable, fully functional condition.
14. No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel which is not equipped as required by this section or modification thereof.
[S13, §2514-a; C24, 27, 31, §1697; C39, §1703.10 – 1703.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, §106.10 – 106.13; C62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §106.9; 82 Acts, ch 1028, §11 – 13]
92 Acts, ch 1131, §3; 92 Acts, ch 1163, §26
C93, §462A.9
2007 Acts, ch 28, §6; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §143
Referred to in §805.8B(1)(a), 805.8B(1)(b)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 1, paragraphs a and b

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