Nebraska law requires any motorboat operator, including personal watercraft, born after December 31, 1985, complete a Boating Safety Course and be in possession of a course certificate when operating the boat. You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a motorboat, including personal watercraft, in Nebraska.

In Nebraska, all boaters born after December 31, 1985 must complete a Boating Safety Course to operate a boat or personal watercraft.

Every vessel (except sailboards) must carry one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket of suitable size for each person on board. Each vessel (except personal watercraft canoes, kayaks and sailboards) must carry one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type IV throwable device.

• Type I – Offshore life jacket: Designed to turn an unconscious person in water to a vertical or slightly backward position. 20 pounds buoyancy.
• Type II – Nearshore buoyant vest: Designed to turn an unconscious person in water to a vertical or slightly backward position. 19.5 pounds buoyancy.
• Type III – Floatation aid: Designed to keep a conscious person in water at a vertical or slightly backward position. 15.5 pounds buoyancy. This jacket has less turning ability than a type II jacket and is designed for water activities, such as skiing.
• Type IV – Throwable device: Designed to be thrown to a person in the water and not worn.
• Type V – Special use device: Special use life jackets include work vests, deck suits and hybrids for restricted use. Hybrid vests contain some internal buoyancy and are inflatable to provide additional flotation.

Operating a motorboat in Nebraska with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater constitutes Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail and the loss of boating privileges for six months. In addition, a court may order a person convicted of BUI to attend an alcoholism treatment program. Refusal to submit to a chemical blood alcohol text will result in the same penalties as BUI.

After an accident has occurred the operator of a vessel involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty must give their name, address and identification of their vessel in writing to anyone injured and to any owner of damaged property.

The operator of every vessel involved in a boating accident is required to file a written report in duplicate, whenever a boating accident results in:

• Loss of life (report within 48 hours)
• Disappearance of a person (report within 48 hours)
• Loss of consciousness (report within 48 hours)
• Medical treatment/injury (report within 48 hours)
• Property damage in excess of $500 (report within 5 days)

Reports shall be submitted to
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503.