News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2002

Iowa Personal Watercraft Bill Takes Effect July 1
New Safety Law Sets Minimum Age and Requires Safety Course by 2003

Contact:
Elinore Boeke, 202-721-1621
Brian Berry, 202-777-3524

Washington, DC—Iowa public waterways will be safer after the adoption of a new ordinance governing the use of personal watercraft (PWC) that officially becomes law on Monday. The new boating safety law (HF2447/SF2250) increases public safety by setting daylight usage restrictions, minimum age requirements and mandating that younger operators pass a state-certified safety course after January 1, 2003. These bills overwhelmingly passed the State House in March with a vote of 90-4, in the State Senate in April with a vote of 39-5, and were subsequently approved by the Governor.

Effective July 1, 2002, the new law:

• Limits the use of PWC from sunrise to sunset
• Prohibits all motorboaters from harassing animals
• Sets a minimum age of 12 years to operate a PWC unless accompanied by an adult

Beginning January 1, 2003, the law will also prohibit those aged 12 through 17 from operating a personal watercraft—even with an adult—unless they have successfully completed a watercraft safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and carry a watercraft safety certificate with them when riding.

"Third party organizations, including the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, were very helpful in building support for this important legislation," stated Randy Edwards, Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Law Enforcement for the Conservation and Recreation Division of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "This is a clear step in the right direction toward ensuring our waterways are safe for all who wish to enjoy them."

PWIA, representing PWC manufacturers, supports reasonable regulations, strict enforcement of navigation and safety laws, and mandatory boating education. "We applaud the Iowa lawmakers for passing this legislation," said Christian Gullott, PWIA State Government Affairs Manager. "Since the introduction of the legislation in the State House, PWIA has encouraged lawmakers, community activists and boating enthusiasts to support the bill, and we’re pleased that they have."

States that have adopted rules similar to those in the new Iowa law have seen double digit drops in their PWC accident rates.

"This new law is fair for personal watercraft users in Iowa," said Gullott. "We hope that similar laws will be adopted governing other types of boats so that the public waterways in Iowa will be safer for all. Minimum age requirements and mandatory safety courses for users under the age of 18 is quite reasonable; after all, an educated boater is a safer boater."

Personal watercraft (commonly known by their trade names JET SKI, WaveRunner, and Sea-Doo) are a fun, affordable alternative to conventional boating for many Iowa families. More than 223,000 recreational boats, including PWC, are registered in Iowa, and contribute to the more than 1 million personal watercraft owned and enjoyed responsibly across America. In 2001, the National Marine Manufactures Association estimated that 70 million people participated in recreational boating in America.