12 | Boating Safety Info: 402-471-5462
NAVIGATION RULES
Vessel traffic shall be governed by the following rules:
• When passing from rear — pass to other vessel's port.
• When passing head on — pass port to port.
• When passing at right angles — vessel at right has right of way.
• Manually propelled vessels have the right of way over all other vessels.
• Sailboats have the right of way over all motor -driven vessels.
• Motorboats, when meeting or overtaking sailboats, shall always pass on the leeward
side.
• Any vessel backing from a landing has the right of way over incoming vessels.
UNLAWFUL PRACTICES
It is unlawful to:
• operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel that is not equipped as
required.
• exceed the speeds posted or charted in any specific zone or area. Speed always must
be reasonable and proper in consideration of the conditions prevailing at that time and
place.
• travel at speeds exceeding 5 mph/no excessive wake limit in or within 30 yards of any
vessel, harbor, marina, landing pier, fishing pier, anchorage, or bathing beach.
• operate a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise.
• operate any vessel within any area marked off or set aside as prohibited.
• swim or bathe in any marinas or within 20 yards of launching, mooring or docking
areas.
• tie off any vessel or attach one to any buoy, marker or navigational aid on any waters in
this state.
• place or leave, in any public waters, any vessel not safe for operation.
• operate a personal watercraft without wearing a lanyard -type engine cutoff switch.
• operate or be a passenger on a personal watercraft without wearing a U.S. Coast
Guard approved life jacket, regardless of age.
• jump a wake with a motorized vessel within 50 yards of another craft.
• jump the wake of any boat that is towing a skier, tuber, wakeboarder, etc.
• be the operator of any boat, including personal watercraft, while under 16 years of age
and towing a skier, tuber, wakeboarder, etc.
