Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful Operation of a Vessel

Nevada law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal.

Negligent or Reckless Operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of negligent or reckless operation are:

• Riding on the bow– Front of a vessel, gunwale– Upper edge of vessel's side (generally pronounced gunnel), transom– Vertical surface at the back of the hull, or swim platform of a vessel while it is underway at a speed greater than “no wake speed– A speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, or in other words, leaves a flat wave disturbance; not to exceed 5 miles per hour”
• Maneuvering a towed skier or towed device such that the tow rope passes over another vessel or its skier
• Operating a vessel or manipulating water skis, a surfboard, or similar device so as to pass between a vessel and its tow
• Teak surfing or platform dragging—where a person is hanging onto the swim platform while a boat is moving or underway in order to surf his or her body behind the boat
• Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with a vessel

No wake speed—A speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake or, in other words, leaves a flat wave disturbance; not to exceed 5 miles per hour

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, the following operations are illegal:

• Operating or allowing others to operate a vessel at greater than “no wake speed– A speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, or in other words, leaves a flat wave disturbance; not to exceed 5 miles per hour” within:
  • 100 feet of a person swimming
  • 100 feet of a person being towed by another vessel
  • 200 feet of a beach used by swimmers; a swimming float, diving platform, or lifeline; or a landing float that has a vessel(s) secured to it or that is being used to load or unload a vessel’s passengers
• Operating a vessel at greater than “no wake speed– A speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, or in other words, leaves a flat wave disturbance; not to exceed 5 miles per hour” on certain waters designated by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, within all harbors, and within any other marked speed zones

Operating in Exclusion Area is operating a vessel within any marked exclusion area such as a swimming area or any other area marked by signs or buoys.

Overloading is defined as loading the vessel beyond the recommended capacity shown on the capacity plate installed by the vessel manufacturer.

Failure To Use Ignition Safety Switch is an operator not attaching the lanyard of an ignition safety switch to his or her person, clothing, or life jacket if the vessel is equipped with a switch and is moving at a greater than "no wake speed." In addition, the owner of a vessel that is equipped with an ignition safety switch may not operate, or let another person operate, the vessel if the lanyard is missing, not connected, or not working correctly.

Unsafe Condition is operating a vessel in a condition that causes danger to the occupants or others on the waterways. Peace officers may instruct the operator to take immediate corrective action or terminate the voyage if the vessel is:

• Overloaded
• Equipped with insufficient personal flotation devices (life jackets), fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation system, or navigation lights
• Leaking fuel or has fuel in the bilges– Interior of the hull below the floorboards; lowest part of a vessel's interior where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom
• Being operated in extremely adverse conditions

Failure To Follow Navigational Rules is operating a vessel on Nevada waters in violation of the navigational rules. Operators of all vessels must follow the inland navigational rules.

Remember—Personal watercraft operators must obey all boating laws and also must obey additional laws that apply to PWCs only. See additional laws that apply only to PWCs.