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Boating Definitions
Vessel – Description of any watercraft, other than a seaplane, used or capable of being
used as a means of transportation on water.
Motorboat – Any vessel propelled by any form of mechanical power, gas, electric or diesel,
including an electric trolling motor.
Personal Watercraft – A class of inboard vessel less than 16 feet in length that uses an
internal combustion engine powering a jet pump as its primary source of propulsion and is
designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel.
Sailboard – A surfboard -type vessel with no freeboard and using a free -sail system with a
swivel -mounted mast not secured to a hull by guys or stays.
Starboard – The right side of a vessel.
Port – The left side of a vessel.
Bow – The front of a vessel.
Stern – The rear of a vessel.
Leeward – Downwind.
No Wake Speed – Speed at which a vessel doesn't produce a wake, not to exceed 5 mph.
Boating Requirements
WHO MAY OPERATE A MOTORBOAT?
• Anyone operating a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska must be at least 14
years of age.
• Any operator born after Dec. 31, 1985, must have successfully completed the Nebraska
boating safety course and be in possession of a valid certificate. Nonresidents may
present certification from their state or another source approved by the National
Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
NONRESIDENT AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES STAMP
Motorized watercraft registered outside of Nebraska must purchase and display an Aquatic
Invasive Species Stamp before launching from any Nebraska boat ramp. (See page 15.)
BOATER EDUCATION
Boater education is open to anyone at least 14 years of age.
• Options to fulfill the boater education requirement are: 1) attend a six -hour course
with a proctored exam, 2) home study, then attend a three- hour course review with a
proctored exam. Study materials may be downloaded from BoatSafeNebraska.org, or 3)
complete the course online at Boaterexam.com/usa/nebraska.
• 75% of the exam answers must be correct to pass.
• Find a list of classes at BoatSafeNebraska.org.
