OutdoorNebraska

25 Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating Your Vessel's Registration ◆ Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Nebraska, you must have a Nebraska Certificate of Number (registration) and validation stickers to legally operate a vessel propelled by a mechanical device on any public or private waters, including the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark Lake. Exceptions to the requirement to register include: • Vessels not powered by machinery at any time • Vessels properly registered in another state and using Nebraska waters for less than 60 consecutive days • Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard ◆ If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered. ◆ Registration application forms are available from the county treasurer of the boater's county of residence. Current registrations may be renewed online at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website: www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov/boating/. ◆ After registering a vessel, an owner will receive a Certificate of Number (regis- tration card) that must be available for law enforcement inspection whenever the vessel is operated. ◆ Registration is valid for three years and expires on December 31 at the end of each three-year period. No vessel may be operated after December 31 without renewing the registration. ◆ If a Certificate of Number is lost or destroyed, the vessel owner must apply to the county treasurer to replace it with a duplicate Certificate of Number. ◆ The owner of a registered vessel must notify the Game and Parks Commission within 15 days of the following events: • The owner changes his or her address • The owner transfers all or any part of his or her interest in the vessel • The vessel is destroyed or abandoned ◆ Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Displaying the Assigned Number and Validation Stickers ◆ The registration number and validation stickers must be displayed as follows: • Number must be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel. • Number must read from left to right on one line, starting with the validation sticker followed by two capital letters—"NB"—followed by a 2-inch space and three or four digits followed by a 2-inch space and two or three capital letters. For example: NB 123 ABC. • Letters and numerals must be BLOCK figures at least three inches high, of a color that contrasts with its background and visible from 100 feet. ◆ No numerals and letters other than the registration numerals, letters and validation stickers may be displayed on either side of the forward half of any mechanically-powered vessel. Certificate of Number (Registration) The Certificate of Number must be carried on board the vessel whenever the vessel is operated. PWCs are also required to display the registration number and validation stickers. ■ NB 123 ABC ■ NB 123 ABC Validation Sticker NEBRASKA NEBRASKA 15 15 2-inch spaces should appear here. Copyright © 2014 Boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com

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