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EQUIPMENT
Fire Extinguisher – A fire extinguisher is required on:
• any inboard or inboard/outboard vessel
• any outboard vessel with closed compartments, closed living spaces or permanently
installed fuel tanks
• any airboat
NOTE: Fire extinguishers are not required for outboard motorboats less than 26 feet in
length that are made of open construction and do not carry passengers for hire.
Fire extinguishers must be carried according to the following guidelines:
• Classes 1 and 2 – one U.S. Coast Guard- approved type B- I fire extinguisher
• Class 3 – two U.S. Coast Guard- approved B -I or one B- II fire extinguisher
• Class 4 – three U.S. Coast Guard- approved B- I or one B- I and one B- II fire extinguishers
Oars/Paddles – Every vessel, except personal watercraft, sailboards or similar devices and
classes 3 or 4 motorboats, shall carry an oar or paddle.
Bailing Bucket – Every vessel, except personal watercraft, sailboards or similar devices,
shall be equipped with a bailing bucket, efficient bilge pump or sponge.
Muffler – Exhaust of all internal combustion engines used on motorboats shall be
effectively muffled. It shall be unlawful to operate any motorboat that exceeds a noise level
of 96 decibels when measured at 100 feet when the motorboat is on plane.
Whistle or Bell – Every vessel of classes 1, 2, 3, and 4 shall have a whistle or other
mechanical sound -producing device. Every mechanically powered boat of Class 4 shall be
equipped with a bell.
Flame Arrestor – Every motorboat with an inboard motor using gasoline shall have the
carburetor equipped with an efficient flame arrestor or similar device that meets U.S. Coast
Guard approval.
Ventilation – Every motorboat using gas, except those of open construction, shall have a
prescribed venting system for bilges and the fuel tank compartment.
BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
It is unlawful to operate a motorboat in Nebraska with a blood alcohol content of
.08 percent or greater. Doing so constitutes Boating Under the Influence (BUI), which
carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, and the loss of boating
privileges for six months. Refusal to submit to a chemical blood alcohol test will result
in the same penalties as BUI.
