OutdoorNebraska

35 Chapter 4 ■ Requirements Specific to Personal Watercraft (PWCs) In addition to adhering to all boating laws, PWC operators have requirements specific to their watercraft. ◆ Every person on board a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device (life jacket) that is in good and serviceable condition. ◆ If the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, the lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing or life jacket of the operator. ◆ A PWC may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. ◆ A PWC operator must always face forward. ◆ There are minimum age and boater education requirements for operators of personal watercraft. See page 26. ◆ A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. Maneuvers that endanger people or property are prohibited, including: • Weaving through congested vessel traffic • Jumping the wake produced by another vessel at a distance of less than 50 yards • Jumping the wake produced by a vessel or PWC that is towing a person(s) Towing a Person With a Vessel Legally Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water-skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes or any similar devices must obey these laws: ◆ A person may not be towed from 30 minutes after sundown to 30 minutes before sunrise. ◆ A person being towed must wear a life preserver or buoyant vest that is in good condition. The only exception is during state-authorized regattas and similar ski and water shows. ◆ When a vessel is pulling a person on water-skis, surfboards or similar devices and it is not equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror, a responsible person at least 12 years old must act as an observer in the vessel with the operator. ◆ No person under the age of 16 is allowed to tow an individual with a vessel. ◆ A PWC operator may not tow a person on water-skis or other devices unless the PWC is designed and recommended by the manufacturer to accommodate more than one person. ◆ When lines are not being used for towing, they must be stowed immediately on board the towing vessel. ◆ When a water-skier, surfboarder or someone engaged in a similar activity is down in the water, the vessel operator or observer must display a bright orange flag that is visible for 360 degrees. The flag must be at least 12 inches square or at least 144 square inches. ◆ Those towing skiers on water-skis, surfboards, or similar devices and those being towed must act in a safe and prudent manner. • It is illegal to operate the vessel or manipulate the towing rope, water-skis, or other devices such that the towed device or person collides with any other person or object. • Vessels towing persons must stay a safe distance from other vessels, persons in the water, or property belonging to others. Vessels towing person(s) on water-skis or similar devices must display a bright orange "skier down" flag whenever the towed person(s) is in the water. When towing persons behind your vessel, you are still responsible to follow all other navigation rules and boating laws. Stay up-to-date on new boating laws! Be sure to stay abreast of new boating laws and requirements. For state boating law information, contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: • Call 1-402-471-0641 • Visit www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov/boating/ For federal boating laws, visit the U.S. Coast Guard's boating safety website at: • www.uscgboating.org Information in this manual does not replace what is specifically legal for boating in your state, which is found in state and federal laws. www www www www www www www www www www www www www wwwww www www www www www www www www www www www www www www www w w w www www www www www www www www www www www www www www www w w w w www w ww REMEMBER … As an owner of a PWC, you are legally respon- sible if you allow your PWC to be operated by others in violation of Nebraska law. Copyright © 2014 Boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com

• Cover