1.  A person born on or after January 1, 1983, shall not operate a power-driven vessel that has a motor which exceeds 15 horsepower on any interstate waters of this State unless the operator:

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Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 488.730

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • 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.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • 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) Has:

(1) Successfully completed a course in safe boating that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or passed a proficiency examination if the examination was proctored and tested the knowledge of information included in the curriculum of such a course; and

(2) Received a certificate as evidence of successful completion of the course or passage of the examination;

(b) Possesses a license to operate a vessel issued for maritime personnel by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to 46 C.F.R. part 10 or an equivalent license issued by the Canadian Coast Guard;

(c) Possesses a nonrenewable temporary operator’s permit to operate the power-driven vessel which is valid for 60 days and was issued with the certificate of number for the power-driven vessel if the vessel is new or was sold with a transfer of ownership;

(d) Possesses a rental or lease agreement provided pursuant to subsection 3 which lists the person as an authorized operator of the power-driven vessel; or

(e) Is not a resident of this State, is at least 18 years of age, is temporarily using the interstate waters of this State for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days and satisfies any applicable requirements of the person’s state of residency or province relating to the operation of a power-driven vessel.

2.  A person born on or after January 1, 1983, who is operating a power-driven vessel that has a motor which exceeds 15 horsepower on any interstate waters of this State and who is stopped by a game warden, sheriff or other peace officer in the enforcement of this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto shall present to the game warden, sheriff or peace officer:

(a) The certificate received by the person pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph (a) of subsection 1;

(b) A license described in paragraph (b) of subsection 1;

(c) An operator’s permit for the power-driven vessel described in paragraph (c) of subsection 1;

(d) A rental or lease agreement for the power-driven vessel provided pursuant to subsection 3 which lists the person as an authorized operator of the power-driven vessel; or

(e) Proof that the person satisfies the requirements of paragraph (e) of subsection 1. Failure to present the certificate, license, permit, agreement or proof constitutes prima facie evidence of a violation of subsection 1. A person who fails to present the certificate, license, permit, agreement or proof is guilty of a misdemeanor unless the person presents the required documents in court. The documents must prove that the person was operating the power-driven vessel in compliance with this section on the date of the violation.

3.  A person or an agent or employee of a person engaged in the business of renting or leasing power-driven vessels for operation on the interstate waters of this State shall not rent or lease a power-driven vessel that has a motor which exceeds 15 horsepower to any person born on or after January 1, 1983, for operation on the interstate waters of this State unless the person:

(a) Is 18 years of age or older; and

(b) Signs an affidavit that the person:

(1) Has successfully completed a course in safe boating that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or has passed a proficiency examination that was proctored and tests knowledge of the information included in the curriculum of such a course;

(2) Possesses a license to operate a vessel issued for maritime personnel by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to 46 C.F.R. part 10 or an equivalent license issued by the Canadian Coast Guard; or

(3) Is not a resident of this State, is temporarily using the interstate waters of this State for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days and satisfies any applicable requirements of the person’s state of residency or province relating to the operation of a power-driven vessel.

4.  A person or an agent or employee of a person engaged in the business of renting or leasing power-driven vessels for operation on the interstate waters of this State shall list on each rental or lease agreement for a power-driven vessel the name and age of each person who is authorized to operate the power-driven vessel. The person to whom the power-driven vessel is rented or leased shall ensure that only those persons who are listed as authorized operators are allowed to operate the power-driven vessel. A person who is under 16 years of age may:

(a) Be listed as an authorized operator.

(b) Operate the power-driven vessel only if an authorized operator who is 18 years of age or older is on board the power-driven vessel and supervises the person.

5.  A person or an agent or employee of a person engaged in the business of renting or leasing power-driven vessels for operation on the interstate waters of this State shall provide to each authorized operator of a power-driven vessel a summary of the statutes and regulations governing the operation of a power-driven vessel and instructions regarding the safe operation of the power-driven vessel. Each person who is listed as an authorized operator of the power-driven vessel shall review the summary of the statutes, regulations and instructions before the power-driven vessel departs from the rental or leasing office.