Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-37.13
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024
Rule 571-37.13 - Buoyant safety equipment(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.(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: (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: (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). (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.(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 8V2 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.(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.(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.(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.(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.(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.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-37.13