Statewide Iowa — Thousands of people will be taking their first boat ride of the season in just a few days, weather permitting. That means it’s time to think about being intentional when it comes to boating safety.
That’s from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources — the boating law enforcement body in Iowa. They are advising people to brush up on safe boating practices and make sure everything is in proper working condition before making that first water voyage.
2019 is also a boating registration year — so they are telling people to make sure their boat registration is current. Boat owners must register their vessel with the Department of Natural Resources. Vessels registered in Iowa must display their current registration decals and Iowa-issued registration numbers provided by the County Recorder. In addition, the operator must carry the registration certificate on board. Registrations must be renewed every three years and are nontransferable. These can be acquired starting January 1st of the new registration cycle and are valid for three years. All boat registrations expired in April. So if you haven’t renewed your boat registration, you’ll have to do that if you don’t want your boat to spend Memorial Day Weekend in drydock, due to expired registration.
Drain plugs are very important to remember — both going into and out of the water. They say to make sure the plug is out while moving your boat on land — to avoid spreading invasive species. BUT, make sure it’s IN, when you put your boat in the water — to avoid getting water in your boat!
A designated (sober) boat operator is just as important as a designated driver on land, says the DNR. The blood-alcohol limit for boating while impaired is the same as operating a motor vehile while intoxicated on land — 0.08%.
The DNR also emphasizes that a life jacket is required by law for every person onboard. They also say that it can’t save you if it’s stowed away, so wear your lifejacket too. Children 12 and under are required by law to WEAR their lifejacket if they’re on a boat. Lifejackets also need to be sized to fit the wearer and must be in good working order.
For more information, you can visit iowadnr.gov.
