12 | Boating Safety Info: 402-471-5462
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 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.
Maneuvering and Warning Signals:
• Overtaking on the starboard side – 1 short* blast
• Overtaking on the port side – 2 short blasts
• Backing up – 3 short blasts
• Danger – 5 or more short blasts
* A short blast is approximately one second.
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.
