Nevada Revised Statutes 488.580 – Operation of personal watercraft
1. A person shall not operate or authorize another person to operate a personal watercraft under his or her ownership or control:
Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 488.580
- Commission: means the Board of Wildlife Commissioners. See Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Flat wake: means the condition of the water close astern a moving vessel that results in a flat wave disturbance. See Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
- Mechanically propelled personal hydrofoil: means a power-driven vessel that consists of a board fitted with a mast extending below the board that is attached to a fuselage with a forward wing, rear stabilizer and electric motor or internal combustion engine. See Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
- Motorized surfboard: means a power-driven vessel that consists of a board using a surfboard-type design fitted with either an electric motor or internal combustion engine. See Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
- Operate: means to navigate or otherwise use a vessel. See Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
- Person: has the meaning ascribed to it in Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
- Power-driven vessel: means any vessel propelled by machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion. See Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
- Vessel: means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. See Nevada Revised Statutes 488.035
(a) In a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life or property of another person.
(b) Unless the operator and each passenger is wearing a life jacket of an appropriate size and type for the person for whom it was intended that has been approved by the United States Coast Guard and meets any requirements prescribed by the regulations of the Commission.
(c) Unless the operator is at least 14 years of age.
(d) Unless the operator satisfies any applicable provisions of NRS 488.730.
2. There is prima facie evidence that a person is operating a personal watercraft in a reckless or negligent manner if that person commits two or more of the following acts simultaneously:
(a) Operates the personal watercraft within a zone closer than 5 lengths of the longest vessel, unless both are leaving a flat wake or traveling at a speed of not more than 5 nautical miles per hour.
(b) Operates the personal watercraft in the vicinity of a power-driven vessel in a manner that obstructs the visibility of either operator.
(c) Heads into the wake of a power-driven vessel which is within a zone closer than 5 lengths of the longest vessel and causes one-half or more of the length of the personal watercraft to leave the water.
(d) Within a zone closer than 5 lengths of the longest vessel, maneuvers quickly, turns sharply or swerves, unless the maneuver is necessary to avoid collision.
3. As used in this section, ‘personal watercraft’ means:
(a) A class A power-driven vessel which:
(1) Is less than 13 feet in length;
(2) Is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on, rather than in, the power-driven vessel;
(3) Is capable of performing sharp turns or quick maneuvers; and
(4) Has a motor that exceeds 10 horsepower.
(b) A mechanically propelled personal hydrofoil or motorized surfboard.