professional exhibition or a person engaged in an activity authorized under NRS 488.305. (Added to NRS by 1960, 480; A 1965, 1066; 1975, 647; 1985, 343; 1987, 764; 1991, 856)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 488.235) NRS 488.575 Wearing of personal flotation device by passenger less than 12 years of age: Duty of person who operates, owns or controls vessel; exceptions. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person shall not operate or authorize another person to operate a vessel under his ownership or control on any waters of this state unless each person on the vessel who is less than 12 years of age is wearing a personal flotation device of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard and prescribed by the regulations of the Commission while the vessel is under way. 2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to persons on board: (a) A commercial vessel licensed by the United States Coast Guard for the transportation of passengers for hire; or (b) Any other vessel who are below the deck or inside a cabin of the vessel. (Added to NRS by 2001, 1948) NRS 488.580 Operation of personal watercraft. 1. A person shall not operate or authorize another person to operate a personal watercraft under his ownership or control: (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 personal flotation device of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard and 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 motorboat in a manner that obstructs the visibility of either operator. (c) Heads into the wake of a motorboat 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 class A motorboat which: (a) Is less than 13 feet in length; (b) Is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on, rather than in, the motorboat; (c) Is capable of performing sharp turns or quick maneuvers; and (d) Has a motor that exceeds 10 horsepower. (Added to NRS by 1991, 852; A 2001, 1719, 1948; 2003, 74) NRS 488.590 Overloading vessel prohibited. No owner or operator of any vessel shall knowingly permit such vessel to be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond the maximum allowable weight capacity of such vessel, nor beyond its safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration weather and other operating conditions. (Added to NRS by 1957, 570; A 1960, 483)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 488.255) NRS 488.600 Unlawful operation of vessel: Reduced speed required in certain areas. Every owner, operator or person in command of any vessel is guilty of a misdemeanor who operates it or permits it to be operated at a speed in excess of 5 nautical miles per hour in any of the following areas: 1. Within 100 feet of any person who is engaged in the act of bathing, wading, diving, floating or swimming. 2. Within 200 feet of any: (a) Beach frequented by persons who engage in the acts of bathing, wading, diving, floating or swimming. (b) Swimming float, diving platform or lifeline. (c) Way or landing float to which vessels are made fast or which is used for the embarkation or discharge of passengers. [1:143:1951]—(NRS A 1999, 960) NRS 488.610 Unlawful operation of vessel in restricted area; designation and marking of restricted areas. 1. No person may operate a vessel, other than a patrol vessel, in an area designated as restricted, except in an emergency. Such area shall be designated only with the consent of the Commission and shall be clearly marked. 2. The Commission may adopt regulations relating to the operation of vessels in areas properly marked by divers’ flags or other suitable devices. (Added to NRS by 1963, 105; A 1965, 1066; 1971, 760)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 488.247) NRS 488.620 Operation of vessel in area marked for bathing, wading, diving, floating or swimming. A person shall not operate a vessel within a water area which is clearly marked by buoys or some other distinguishing device as an area designated for bathing, wading, diving, floating or swimming. Such an area must be so marked only with the consent of the Commission. (Added to NRS by 1957, 570; A 1960, 483; 1985, 343; 1999, 960) NRS 488.630 Operation of vessel in unsafe condition; penalties. 1. A game warden, sheriff or other peace officer of this State or any of its political subdivisions who observes a vessel being operated in an unsafe condition may direct the operator of the vessel to take immediate steps to correct the condition. If the condition cannot be corrected immediately and constitutes an immediate risk of bodily injury or damage to property, the peace officer may order the operator to remove the vessel to port or the nearest safe moorage. 2. For the purposes of this section, a vessel is being operated in an unsafe condition if it: (a) Is overloaded beyond the manufacturer’s recommended safe loading capacity; (b) Has an insufficient number of personal flotation devices approved by the United States Coast Guard; (c) Has no fire extinguisher as required by NRS 488.193; (d) Fails to display the proper navigational lights between sunset and sunrise; (e) Is leaking fuel or has fuel in the bilges; (f) Is improperly ventilated; (g) Has an improper device for controlling backfire flame; or (h) Is being operated in extremely adverse conditions. 3. An operator who refuses to take immediate steps to correct the condition or fails to comply with the directions of the peace officer shall be punished: (a) If no injury results, for a misdemeanor; (b) If bodily injury or damage to property in excess of $200 results, for a gross misdemeanor; or (c) If the death of another person results, for a category D felony as provided in NRS 193.130. (Added to NRS by 1991, 852; A 1995, 1302)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 488.290) OPERATION OF MOTORBOATS ON INTERSTATE WATERS; INSTRUCTION IN SAFE BOATING NRS 488.730 Operation of certain motorboats 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 motorboats. 1. A person born on or after January 1, 1983, shall not operate a motorboat 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

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