BoatSafeNebraska.org | 11
UNSAFE VESSELS
• No vessel may operate in the State of Nebraska if either the occupancy or weight
listed on the manufacturer's capacity plate is exceeded. If a vessel has no plate, it
must retain at least half of its depth above the water line when measured at the
center of the vessel.
• If any conservation officer or other law enforcement official of Nebraska sees a
vessel being operated without the proper equipment or with any other unsafe
condition, he or she may direct the operator to correct the situation immediately or
return to mooring until the hazard is corrected.
Rules
UNIFORM STATE WATERWAY MARKERS
Orange and white diamond shape with cross means "Boats Keep Out."
Orange and white diamond shape warns of "Danger."
Orange and white circle marks "Controlled Area" as indicated within circle.
Orange and white square or rectangle gives "Information, Names, Distances
and Permitted Activities."
CHANNEL BUOYS/LATERAL SYSTEM (FOUND ON THE MISSOURI RIVER)
Always pass between a green buoy and its companion red buoy.
When Headed Upstream – Keep red buoys to your right and green buoys
to your left.
When Headed Downstream – Keep green buoys to your right and red
buoys to your left.
RIGHT OF WAY
Audible Signals – When two vessels are approaching each other head-on, or nearly
so, each operator shall swing the bow of his motorboat to the starboard to pass. Each
operator shall give one short blast (a short blast is approximately one second) of the whistle
and indicate his course by swinging the bow of his motorboat substantially to starboard.
Unnecessary sounding of whistles, horns, bells, or other sound producing devices is
prohibited.
