1. No person shall operate any vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person.
2. A person shall not operate any vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, marijuana, a narcotic, hypnotic or other drug, or any combination of these substances. However, this subsection does not apply to a person operating any vessel or manipulating any water skis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of marijuana, or a narcotic, hypnotic or other drug if the substances were prescribed for the person and have been taken under the prescription and in accordance with the directions of a medical practitioner as defined in chapter 155A, provided there is no evidence of the consumption of alcohol and further provided the medical practitioner has not directed the person to refrain from operating a motor vehicle, any vessel or from manipulating any water skis, surfboard or similar device.
3. No person shall place, cause to be placed, throw or deposit onto or in any of the public waters, ice or land of this state any cans, bottles, garbage, rubbish, and other debris.
4. No person shall operate on the waters of this state under the jurisdiction of the conservation commission any vessel displaying or reflecting a blue light or flashing blue light unless such vessel is an authorized emergency vessel.
5. No person shall operate a vessel and enter into areas in which search and rescue operations are being conducted or an area affected by a natural disaster unless authorized by the officer in charge of the search and rescue or disaster operation. Any person authorized in an area of operation shall operate the person's vessel at a no wake speed and shall keep clear of all other vessels engaged in the search and rescue or disaster operation. A person who must operate a vessel in a disaster area to gain access or egress from the person's home shall be considered an authorized person by the officer in charge.
6. An owner or operator shall not permit any person under twelve years of age to operate the personal watercraft unless accompanied in or on the same personal watercraft by a responsible person of at least eighteen years of age. However, commencing January 1, 2003, a person who is twelve years of age or older but less than eighteen years of age shall not operate any personal watercraft unless the person has successfully completed a department-approved watercraft safety course. A person required to have a watercraft safety certificate shall carry and shall exhibit or make available the certificate upon request of an officer of the department. A violation of this subsection is a simple misdemeanor as provided in section 462A.13. However, a person charged with violating this subsection shall not be convicted if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, a department-approved certificate. The cost of a department certificate, or any duplicate, shall not exceed five dollars.
7. A person shall not operate watercraft in a manner which unreasonably or unnecessarily interferes with other watercraft or with the free and proper navigation of the waters of the state. Anchoring under bridges, in a heavily traveled channel, in a lock chamber, or near the entrance of a lock constitutes such interference if unreasonable under the prevailing circumstances.
8. A person shall not operate a vessel in violation of restrictions as given by state-approved buoys or signs marking an area.
9. A person shall not operate on the waters of this state under the jurisdiction of the commission a vessel equipped with an engine of greater horsepower rating than is designated for the vessel by the federally required capacity plate or by the manufacturer's plate on those vessels not covered by federal regulations.
10. A person shall not leave an unattended vessel tied or moored to a dock which is placed immediately adjacent to a public boat launching ramp or to a dock which is posted for loading and unloading.
11. A person shall not operate a vessel within fifty feet of a diver's flag placed in accordance with the rules of the commission adopted under chapter 17A.
12. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft at any time between sundown and sunup.
13. A person shall not chase or harass animals while operating a personal watercraft or motorboat.
[C39, § 1703.17, 1703.21; C46, 50, 54, 58, § 106.17, 106.21, 106.28; C62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 106.12; 82 Acts, ch 1028, § 15, 16]
86 Acts, ch 1143, § 1; 87 Acts, ch 215, § 38
C93, § 462A.12
2002 Acts, ch 1133, §2, 3
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8B, subsection 1, paragraph c
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