News Boaters Reminded of Iowa's Mandatory Lifejacket Law for Youth Posted 21 May 2009 Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of the busy boating season. Boat ramps will be busy and parking lots full. For many of the boaters, it will be the first time on the water of the year. Boaters are reminded of the Iowa law requiring children under age 13 to wear a lifejacket while in a boat that is underway. The law became effective in 2008. The law states "a person shall not operate a vessel in Iowa unless every person on board the vessel who is age 12 and under is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket." A lifejacket must be worn when the vessel is underway, which means when a vessel is not at anchor, tied to a dock or the bank/shore or aground. A child age 12 and under in an enclosed cabin, below deck, or aboard a commercial vessel with a capacity of 25 persons or more is exempt. There are only two states remaining without some age requirement for lifejackets for children - Wisconsin and Virginia. For more information, contact Susan Stocker, boating education coordinator for the DNR, at 515-281-0122.