A new boating law went into effect earlier this month which will impact boat operators on federal waterways. 

As of April 1st the new federal law requires boat operators with an installed engine cut-off switch (ECOS) to use the ECOS link while operating on all federally navigable waterways including the four flood control reservoirs of Coralville, Rathbun, Red Rock, Saylorville and the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. 

The link is designed to stop power to the engine if the operator is ejected from the vessel or falls down inside the vessel. The shutdown of the engine can protect the driver from injury by the vessel’s propeller. Boats with motors less than three horsepower are excluded from the law.