RECKLESS OR NEGLIGENT OPERATION
Each of the following acts endangers life, limb or property and constitutes evidence of reckless or negligent operation of a vessel:
- Riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of a motorboat underway at a speed greater than 5 nautical miles per hour, unless the act is done by a vessel’s crewmen in managing a sail.
- Maneuvering a towed skier or device so as to pass the towline over another vessel or its skier.
- Navigating any vessel, skis or device between a towing vessel and its tow.
- Operating a motorboat while any person is hanging onto, or sitting, standing or riding on, a swim platform or a swim ladder that is attached to the motorboat.
- Operating a motorboat while any person is teak surfing or platform dragging (the act of hanging onto, or surfing behind, the swim platform while a vessel is underway).
UNLAWFUL OPERATION
Nevada law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal: Negligent or reckless operation, operating in an exclusionary zone, overloading, improper speed or distance, unsafe condition, and failure to follow navigation rules.
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 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
- Chasing, harassing or disturbing wildlife with a vessel
- 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.
- Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:
* Operate or allow 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 with a vessel(s) secured to it or that is being used to load or unload a vessel’s passengers.
* Operate a vessel at greater than no wake speed on certain waters designated by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, within all harbors, or 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 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.
Overloading vessel prohibited.
No owner or operator of any vessel shall knowingly permit such vessel to be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond the maximum allowable weight capacity of such vessel, nor beyond its safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration weather and other operating conditions.
Engine Cutoff Lanyard
Nevada boaters are required to wear the engine cutoff lanyard (for boats that have them) anytime the boat is moving faster than a no wake speed. Boaters operating at no wake speed, such as trolling anglers or when performing docking maneuvers, may remove the engine cutoff lanyard.
The engine cutoff lanyard, sometimes called a "kill switch" is a short piece of coiled wire cable that connects to the boat operator to a switch on the boat console or throttle assembly. When the operator falls overboard or moves too far from the helm, the lanyard is pulled free, which releases the switch, and the boat engine is automatically shut off. Newer devices are wireless transmitters and allow for more freedom of movement around the boat. Wireless transmitters work when submersed in water.
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