It's the Law: On the Water

Here are some additional Nevada regulations that apply when vessel operators are on the water.

Reckless and Unlawful Operation

These dangerous operating practices are illegal in Nevada.

• 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, gunwale, transom, or swim platform of a vessel while it is underway at a speed greater than "no wake speed"
  • 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 vessel is underway
  • Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with a vessel
• Operating in an 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 loading the vessel beyond the recommended capacity shown on the capacity plate installed by the vessel's manufacturer.
• Failure To Use Ignition Safety Switch is an operator not attaching the lanyard of an ignition safety switch to his or her person if the vessel is equipped with a switch and is moving at greater than "no wake speed."
• 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" 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" on certain waters designated by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, within all harbors, and within any other marked speed zones

"No Wake Speed" means a speed at which your vessel does not produce a wake or in other words, leaves a flat wave disturbance; not to exceed 5 miles per hour.

• 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, fire extinguishers, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation system, or navigation lights
  • Leaking fuel or has fuel in the bilges
  • 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.