Watercraft Inspections
What to expect when expecting an inspection.
What are we inspecting for?
Standing Water, Mud, Plants, or Animals
Aquatic invasive species can be spread in even a small amount of standing water. Invasive mussels have microscopic larvae called veligers, that can survive in even a single drop of water!
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Aquatic plants can be spread through a process known as fragmentation, even a small fragment of Eurasian Watermilfoil or Curly-Leafed Pondweed can be enough to start a new infestation.
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Mud can provide habitat to transport Invasive species such as New Zealand Mudsnails. Species such as New Zealand mudsnails can survive on wet surfaces like waders or other gear. Did you know that female New Zealand mudsnails can clone themselves through a process called parthenogenises? So a single New Zealand mudsnail can start an entire new infestation.
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Inspectors are checking boats inside and out! Including but not limited to hulls, trailers, transom/motors, equipment (such as lines, anchors, PFD's, etc), compartments, livewells & baitwells, bilges, etc for any standing water, mud, plants, animals, or any other conditions that may harbor aquatic invasive species.
How To Prepare For an Inspection
Before arriving please make sure your vessel is Clean Drain and Dry
Clean: Clean all surfaces that touch water; Dispose of vegetation, mud, and sand; Remove any contaminants. Using a garden hose or DIY carwash can be an easy way to clean your boat!
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Drain: Drain water from the bilge; Empty ballast tanks, live wells, and sea strainers; Lower the outdrive to drain ALL water from intakes. Sometimes residual water remains kinked in the hoses and lines of a motor. Lowering and raising the out drive several times, with a minute or two in between, can help ensure all the water drains out!
*PLEASE NOTE: Nevada state law and Pyramid Lake Tribal Law requires all boats have their drain plugs out while being transported on all Nevada state roads and on Tribal land. This is so any residual water can drain out during the drive and reduce the risk of spreading Aquatic Invasive Species.
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Dry: Dry all compartments; Dry life jackets, ropes, and toys. If weather and storage permits, leaving compartments open or using a box fan can help to dry out those hard to reach places! Any water present during the inspection will result in a decontamination and a decontamination fee.
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*PLEASE NOTE: Dry times can vary from 5 days in the summer heat, up
to 30 days in the cold of winter to ensure complete mortality of all invasive species.
Fees
Boats that arrive not Clean Drain and Dry will need to pay a fee for decontamination
In order to deter boaters from arriving with standing water on their vessels, any boat found to have standing water (including motors) on or in their vessel will require decontamination prior to launching. We use hot water to decontaminate. Hot water cooks anything that may be alive in the standing water.
This decontamination fee is completely avoidable, to avoid paying any additional fees simply make sure you vessel is Clean Drain and Dry prior to arrival.
The fees will be structured at $15 for the first system that requires decontamination and an additional $5 for every subsequent system that requires decontamination. If a boat show up covered with mussel, there will be a $250 fee for decontamination.
Do I need to get inspected every time I come out?
Yes! Inspections are now mandatory for all trailered and or motorized watercraft prior to launching.
The inspection station will be open daily at 6am beginning October 1.
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It is mandatory for all boats to stop and get inspected. Please prepare for inspections by ensuring your boat or vessel is Clean Drained and Dry prior to every trip.
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After passing an inspection a paper receipt will be given to boater that is to be displayed on dashboard of trailering vehicle. Inspections will be valid up to 3 days in advance of permit date and are good for the duration of permitting period. If a 3-day permit is purchased the watercraft will only need to be inspected on day 1 of the trip. Inspection is good for multiple 2-3 day permits purchased for consecutive days.
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If boaters arrive after inspection station hours they may not launch without an inspection. Launching without inspection will result in a fine of $500.
Please plan your trip accordingly.
Inspection Station Location
Located at the corner of SR-445 and Sutcliffe Drive
When first arriving in Sutcliffe, the inspection station is on the east side of SR-445. Boaters will see a large, white, metal shipping container, with a high metal roof.
Self Inspection Forms
Check yourself before you wreck yourself
The Self Inspection Forms are essentially a risk assessment to determine if a boat is likely to be harboring aquatic invasive species, and for the program to gather data about where boaters are coming from and what water bodies their boats have been on recently.
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The back of the form has a list of infested water bodies, boaters are to review this list and if their boat has been on any of these water bodies they need to either be professionally decontaminated or to be Clean Drain and Dry for a minimum of 30 days, prior to launching.
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Please note in accordance with Tribal regulations (section 10.2 in regs book), launching a vessel that is contaminated or potentially contaminated carries a fine of $500-$5,000.
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Click Below for PDF of Self inspection Form. When printing PDF please be sure to select "print on both sides" from printing options menu.
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Self inspection drop boxes are located at:
Pelican boat launch
Ranger station in Sutcliffe
Popcorn launch area
Pyramid Highway Creel Station
Non-Motorized hand launch
Does my hand launch vessel require inspection?
At this time we do not require inspections for non-motorized hand launch vessels because of their relative low risk for harboring aquatic invasive species. Non-motorized hand launch vessels include but are not limited to:
Kayaks
Canoes
Float tube
Inflatable pontoons
Inflatable rafts
Belly boats
Etc
We do ask that you Clean Drain and Dry your hand launch vessels in between water bodies and that you fill out a Self Inspection Form Prior to launching.
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*PLEASE NOTE: If any vessel has a motor it will require an inspection and boat permit.