Nebraska Administrative Code › Topic - GAME AND PARKS COMMISSION › Title 163 - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission › Chapter 3 - Boating Regulations › Section 163-3-004 - Pilot Rules and Navigation

Current through June 17, 2024
Under the authority of and in compliance with section
				  37-1247,
				  R.R.S. 1993, the following regulations in regard to pilot and navigation rules
				  are prescribed by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and are effective
				  following enactment by the Game and Parks Commission, approval by the Attorney
				  General and Governor, and when five days have elapsed since filing with the
				  Secretary of State.
004.01 Pilot
				(operator) rules to govern navigation and operation of all vessels in Nebraska
				shall be the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980.
004.01A Crossing - If two vessels are
				approaching each other at an angle, the vessel to the right shall have the
				right-of-way and the other vessel shall stay clear.
004.01B Overtaking and Passing -- A vessel
				shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a
				direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, in such a position
				with reference to the vessel she is over-taking, that at night she would be
				able to see only the stern light of that vessel but neither of her sidelights.
				In such case, the rights and privileges all rest with the leading vessel. The
				overtaking vessel has no rights whatsoever. In all instances an overtaking
				vessel must keep clear of an overtaken vessel.
004.01B1 When two vessels are approaching
				each other head on or nearly so, each operator shall swing the bow of his boat
				to starboard, operator shall give one short blast of the whistle and in
				addition indicate his course by swinging the bow of his boat substantially to
				starboard.
004.01B2 A boat with a
				tow is regarded as one vessel.
004.01B3 Boats passing a tow when there is a
				chance their wash or wake will cause damage must slow down.
004.01C MANEUVERING AND WARNING
				SIGNALS - One short blast shall mean I intend to leave you on my Port (left)
				side; Two short blasts shall mean I intend to leave you on my Starboard (right)
				side; Three short blasts shall mean I am operating a stern propulsion (backing
				up); Five or more short rapid blasts shall mean danger or I fail to understand
				your intention or actions.
004.01C1 OVERTAKING
				SIGNALS - When intending to overtake another vessel the overtaking vessel shall
				sound the following signals: One (1) short blast shall mean I intend to
				overtake you on your starboard (right) side; Two (2) short blasts shall mean I
				intend to overtake you on your port (left) side.
004.01C2 The term "short blast" means a blast
				of about one second duration. The term "prolonged blast" means a blast of from
				four to six seconds duration.
004.01C3 In all cases sound producing devices
				must be audible for a distance of ½ mile. Unnecessary sounding of
				whistles. horns, bells or other sound producing devices is prohibited on the
				waters of this state.
004.01C4 In
				fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, or any other condition similarly
				restricting visibility, whether by day or night, the signals described by this
				article shall be used as follows, namely;
004.01C5 A vessel being towed by another
				motorboat or vessel shall sound at intervals of not more than two minutes; four
				blasts in succession, namely one prolonged blast followed by three short
				blasts.
004.01C6 A motorboat
				underway without a tow shall sound, at intervals of not more than two minutes,
				one prolonged blast.
004.01C7 A
				motorboat when at anchor unless in other than sheltered waters shall, at
				intervals of not more than one minute, ring the bell for about five seconds.
				And, in addition, sound three blasts in succession, namely one short, one
				prolonged and one short blast to give warning of her position and of the
				possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.
004.01D The uniform state waterway marker
				system shall be adopted to supplement the federal system and to indicate
				regulatory areas, speed zones and restricted areas on waters within and
				bordering the State of Nebraska.
004.01D1 The
				following four state uniform waterway markers are orange and white. Any
				lettering appearing on these markers will be black:
004.01D1a A diamond shape with cross means
				boats keep out. Explanatory reasons may be indicated outside the crossed
				diamond shape - dam, waterfall, rapids, domestic water, swim area,
				etc.
004.01D1b Diamond shape warns
				of danger. Suggested wording for danger includes rock, dam, snag, dredge,
				wind-dam, ferry cable, marine construction, etc.
004.01D1c Circle marks controlled area (as
				indicated). Suggested wording for controlled or prohibited boating activity
				includes - 5 mph, no fishing, no ski, no swim, no scuba, no prop boats, ski
				only, fishing only, skin divers only, etc.
004.01D1d Square or rectangle give
				information, names distance permitted, activities, place names, distances,
				arrows indicating directions, availability of gas, oil, groceries, marine
				repairs, etc.
004.01D2
				Channel buoys are as follows:
004.01D2a All
				green buoy indicates boat should pass between it and its companion all-red
				buoy. For use together with all-red buoy to mark a well-defined channel. If
				buoy is numbered, use odd numbers colored white numbers may be reflectorized.
004.01D3 Cardinal system
				buoys as follows:
004.01D3a Red-topped white
				buoy indicates boat should pass to south or west. For use in instances where
				there is no well-defined channel. If buoy is reflectorized or lighted, the
				color white is prescribed. Light shall be flashing.
004.01D3b Green-topped white buoy indicates
				boat should pass to the north or east. For use in instances where there is no
				well-defined channel. If buoy is reflectorized or lighted, the color white is
				prescribed. Light shall be flashing.
004.01D3c White anchor or mooring buoy with
				blue stripe prescribed buoy for permanent placing in any waters for use in
				anchoring or mooring watercraft.
004.01D3d Red-striped white buoy indicates
				boat should not pass between buoy and nearest shore. For use where obstruction
				is of such nature that boats should go outside, that is, away from the shore
				around the end of a reef. White stripes are to be twice the width of the red
				stripes.