Operation of certain power-driven vessels on interstate waters of State by persons born on or after January 1, 1983: Requirements; presentation to peace officer of certain documentation; duties of certain persons engaged in business of renting or leasing power-driven vessels.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 488.730
in effect1. 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:
(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 operators 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 persons 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 operators 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.
Ê 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 persons 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.
Source: NV Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-488.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026