CHAPTER 37
BOATING SAFETY EQUIPMENT
[Prior to 12/31/86, Conservation Commission[290] Ch 27]
571—37.1(462A) Fire extinguishers. The number and type of fire extinguishers required for motorboats within the state of Iowa are as follows:
	37.1(1) Fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers shall be a U.S. Coast Guard-approved type as identified in the coast guard publication equipment list (CG-190) by manufacturer’s model, number and size, or type bearing the labeling “marine type” by the Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc., which are U.S. Coast Guard-approved as per Federal Register 5, November 1960.
	37.1(2) Approved fire extinguishers. Each fire extinguisher is classified, by letter and number, according to the type of fire it may be expected to extinguish, and the size of the extinguisher. The letter indicates the type of fire (“A” for fires in ordinary combustible materials; “B” for gasoline, oil and grease fires). Extinguishers approved for motorboats are hand-portable, of either B-I or B-II classification.

Classification
(type-size)	Foam
(minimum
gallons)	Carbon
Dioxide
(minimum
pounds)	Dry
Chemical
(minimum
pounds)	
B-I		1¼	4	2	
B-II		2½	15	10	
The number of approved extinguishers required depends upon the class (or length) of the motorboat. One B-II extinguisher may be substituted for two B-I extinguishers. When the engine compartment of the motorboat is equipped with a fixed (built-in) extinguishing system of an approved type, one less B-I extinguisher is required.
	37.1(3) Fire extinguishers required.

<fo:wrapper font-size="9pt">
Class
of motorboat
</fo:wrapper>	<fo:wrapper font-size="9pt">
Without fixed
fire extinguisher system
in machinery space
</fo:wrapper>	<fo:wrapper font-size="9pt">
With fixed
fire extinguisher system
in machinery space
</fo:wrapper>	
I (less than 16 ft.)	1 B-I	None	
II (16 ft. to under 26 ft.)	1 B-I	None	
III (26 ft. to under 40 ft.)	2 B-I or 1 B-II	1 B-I	
IV (40 ft. to 65 ft.)	3 B-I or 1 B-II and 1 B-I	2 B-I or 1 B-II	
571—37.2(462A) Flame arrester required. All motorboat engines, except outboard engines, shall be equipped with an efficient flame arrester, backfire trap or other similar device.
An acceptable flame arrester shall have one of the following markings:
	1.	U.S. Coast Guard approval number.
	2.	Complies with UL 1111 per tests by (name of testing facility).
	3.	Evidence of compliance with the standard shall be indicated by the marking SAE J-1928 with the word MARINE arranged in a suitable manner.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 462A.3.
571—37.3 to 37.5 Reserved.
571—37.6(462A) Lights on vessels. The following lights shall be required on all vessels.
	37.6(1) Vessels at anchor. A vessel at anchor shall exhibit between the hours of sunset and sunrise:
	1.	In the forepart, a white light to show 360 degrees around the horizon or one ball; and
	2.	At or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in paragraph “1” above, a white light to show 360 degrees around the horizon.
A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit a white light to show 360 degrees around the horizon instead of the lights prescribed in this subrule.
	37.6(2) Vessels not powered by motor or sail. All vessels not powered by motor or sail and not at anchor shall exhibit a white light to show 360 degrees around the horizon that is visible from at least one mile under clear conditions between the hours of sunset and sunrise when operated on natural lakes, Corps of Engineers impoundments, border rivers excluding border portions of the Big Sioux and Des Moines rivers, and impoundments on inland rivers. If the white light is partially obscured due to the nature of the craft, an additional white light must be shown in sufficient time to prevent collision. When operated on bodies of water other than those listed in this subrule, all vessels not powered by motor or sail and not at anchor shall have in possession a white light to be used when necessary between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 462A.3.
571—37.7(462A) Lighting requirements for sailing vessels. Vessels of all classes when propelled by sail alone shall exhibit one of the following lighting systems between sunset and sunrise and at all other times required by applicable laws:
	37.7(1) While underway one of the following lighting systems is acceptable.
	a. 	The international lighting system for the applicable class of vessel.
	b. 	The combined lantern or separate side lights required for the applicable class of vessel plus a white light so placed as to illuminate the sail so the sail is visible at a distance of at least one-half mile.
	37.7(2) While at anchor one of the following lighting systems is acceptable.
	a. 	A white light which shows all around the horizon (360 degrees).
	b. 	An illuminated sail to be visible all around the horizon (360 degrees) at a distance of one-half mile.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 462A.9.
571—37.8(462A) Sailing vessels with auxiliary power. A sailing vessel means any vessel whose sole source of propulsion is the natural element (i.e., wind). A sailing vessel using any auxiliary source of mechanical propulsion is a motorboat and must exhibit the lights required for the applicable class of motorboat.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 462A.9.
571—37.9 to 37.12 Reserved.
571—37.13(462A) Buoyant safety equipment.
	37.13(1) Personal flotation devices (PFD) such as life preservers, life belts, ring buoys, or other similar devices shall be United States Coast Guard approved. Registered American Power Boat Association (APBA) drivers shall wear an APBA-certified PFD while in competition or practice related to an APBA-sanctioned event.
	37.13(2) Except as provided in subrule 37.13(6), no person may use a vessel less than 16 feet in length or a canoe or kayak of any length unless at least one personal flotation device of the following types or their equivalent is on board for each person:
	a. 	Type I PFD
	b. 	Type II PFD
	c. 	Type III PFD
	d. 	Type V PFD
	37.13(3) No person may use a vessel 16 feet or more in length, except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one PFD of the following types or their equivalent is on board for each person:
	a. 	Type I PFD
	b. 	Type II PFD
	c. 	Type III PFD
	d. 	Type V PFD
	37.13(4) No person may use a vessel 16 feet or more in length, except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one Type IV PFD or its equivalent is on board in addition to the PFDs required in subrule 37.13(3).
	37.13(5) Types of personal flotation devices.
	a. 	Type I PFD is a personal flotation device designed to turn an unconscious person from a face-down position in the water to a vertical or slightly backward position as determined by U.S. Coast Guard standards and labeling under CFR title 33 subchapter S part 175 and CFR title 46 subchapter Q part 160, as of July 1, 1979.
	b. 	Type II PFD is a personal flotation device designed to turn an unconscious person from a face-down position to a face-up vertical or slightly backward position as determined by U.S. Coast Guard standards and labeling under CFR title 33 subchapter S part 175 and CFR title 46 subchapter Q part 160, as of July 1, 1979.
	c. 	Type III PFD is a personal flotation device designed to keep a conscious person in a vertical or slightly backward position as determined by U.S. Coast Guard standards and labeling under CFR title 33 subchapter S part 175 and CFR title 46 subchapter Q part 160, as of July 1, 1979.
	d. 	Type IV PFD is a personal flotation device designed to be thrown to a person in the water and not to be worn as determined by U.S. Coast Guard standards and labeling under CFR title 33 subchapter S part 175 and CFR title 46 subchapter Q part 160, as of July 1, 1979.
	e. 	Type V PFD is a work vest or special purpose personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.
	37.13(6) Exceptions.
	a. 	A person using a canoe or kayak that is enclosed by a deck and spray skirt need not comply with subrule 37.13(2) if that person wears a vest-type lifesaving device that:
	(1)	Has no less than 150 separate permanently inflated air sacs made of not less than 12 mil polyvinylchloride film, and has not less than 13 pounds positive buoyancy in fresh water, if that person weighs more than 90 pounds; or
	(2)	Has no less than 120 separate permanently inflated air sacs made of not less than 12 mil polyvinylchloride film and has not less than 8½ pounds positive buoyancy in fresh water, if that person weighs 90 pounds or less.
	b. 	A Type V PFD may be carried in lieu of any PFD required in 571—subrule 27.13(2) if that Type V PFD is approved by the United States Coast Guard for the activity in which the recreational boat is being used.
	37.13(7) Nonapproved devices. Any PFD which has a torn or missing strap, punctured flotation bag, waterlogged flotation material, rotted material in straps or webbing or cover, missing laces, missing hardware, envelope torn or perforated, torn stitching or any other condition which impairs the operating efficiency, any PFD on which the U.S. Coast Guard approval tag is no longer easily legible, or any inflatable device which has a discharged or otherwise inoperable gas cartridge shall be deemed as not approved for use on board vessels as equipment required by law.
	37.13(8) Appropriate sizing. Personal flotation devices carried on board vessels to comply with this regulation shall be of an appropriate size for the person for whom it is intended.
	37.13(9) Water skis and surfboards. Any person engaged in water skiing, surfboarding, or other similar activity, except for vessels known as windsurfers, shall wear a Type I, II, III or any Type V personal flotation device approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Inflatable devices are not approved for tow-behind activities. Skiers participating in a tournament or exhibition may be exempted from the personal flotation device requirement if the skiers are wearing wet suits with built-in flotation and granted a specific exemption in the special events permit issued by the natural resource commission. A flotation wet suit may include a full suit (top and bottom) or a form-fitting top as long as the top will float the wearer when air is expelled from the wearer’s lungs. A special event may include practice sessions if all practice sessions for the season are listed on the special event application. In that case, the application shall include a specific location, date and time for each practice session.
	37.13(10) No person shall operate a vessel on any waters of this state under the jurisdiction of the commission, towing a person or persons on water skis, surfboard, or similar device, nor shall any person engage in water skiing, surfboarding, or similar activity at any time between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to sunrise.
	37.13(11) Personal watercraft. All operators and passengers of personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device. Inflatable personal flotation devices are not approved for use on personal watercraft.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 462A.9, 462A.15, 462A.16 and 456A.24.
[Filed 12/19/61; amended 5/15/62, 3/17/67, 4/9/74]
[Filed 4/20/77, Notice 2/9/77—published 5/18/77, effective 6/22/77]
[Filed 1/9/81, Notice 10/29/80—published 2/4/81, effective 3 /11/81]
[Filed 4/9/81, Notice 2/4/81—published 4/29/81, effective 6/3/81]
[Filed 3/9/84, Notice 12/21/83—published 3/28/84, effective 5/3/84]
[Filed 4/4/86, Notice 2/26/86—published 4/23/86, effective 5/28/86]
[Filed without Notice 12/12/86—published 12/31/86, effective 2/4/87]
[Filed 7/2/92, Notice 5/27/92—published 7/22/92, effective 8/26/92]
[Filed 12/3/93, Notice 10/27/93—published 12/22/93, effective 1/26/94]
[Filed 8/11/95, Notice 6/7/95—published 8/30/95, effective 10/4/95]
[Filed 5/15/96, Notice 2/28/96—published 6/5/96, effective 7/10/96]
[Filed 5/15/97, Notice 3/12/97—published 6/4/97, effective 7/9/97]
[Filed 3/14/02, Notice 1/9/02—published 4/3/02, effective 5/8/02]
[Filed 5/14/08, Notice 1/16/08—published 6/4/08, effective 7/9/08]