OHIO SPECIFIC BOATING LAWS Ohio Revised Code 1547

OHIO SPECIFIC BOATING LAWS Ohio Revised Code 1547 & 1548 Ohio Administrative Code 1501 Ohio Specific Boating Law Program

Disclaimer: ! This program does not cover Ohio boating laws which are also Federal boating laws. ! This program presents Ohio boating laws in a summarized form. ! This program does not present all boating laws in their entirety. ! Laws are subject to change. The operator of a vessel is responsible for compliance with any laws updated after completion of this course. ! Prepared by: Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft www. ohiodnr. com

OHIO REGISTRATION & TITLING LAWS Ohio Revised Code 1547 & 1548 Ohio Administrative Code 1501

Titles (ORC 1548. 03 & 1548. 01) ! A title is required to sell or buy any: # watercraft 14 feet or greater in length # watercraft less than 14 feet with a permanently affixed (built in) motor of 10 HP or greater # outboard motor 10 HP or greater ! Exemptions: # canoes and kayaks of any length # watercraft less than 14 feet without a permanently affixed motor of 10 HP or greater # vessels documented by the US Coast Guard

Registration Required (ORC 1547. 531) ! No person shall operate any watercraft without a valid registration. EXPIRES # Evidence of registration is shown by displaying two issued tags. (ORC 1547. 57) # The registration certificate must be carried on board the vessel. (ORC 1547. 54) 2008 MARCH 1 000000

Registration Required (ORC 1547. 531) ! If a vessel requiring a title is transferred to a new owner it may be operated without registration for 45 days provided the new owner carries aboard : # a temporary watercraft registration, OR # a bill of sale from a watercraft dealer that meets specific requirements allowing it to serve as a temporary registration Temporary Watercraft Registration Dealer Bill of Sale This is not the wording you would find on an actual Dealer Bill of Sale but that should not matter because the type is so small nobody can actually read it unless they are messing around and zooming in on this slide when it is completely unnecessary. Get back to work!

Display of Number (OAC 1501: 47 -1 -07 & ORC 1547. 57) ! The numbers are in three parts beginning with “OH”: # read from left to right on each side of the forward half of the watercraft # block characters at least 3 inches high # clearly visible and legible # color must contrast the color of the background # numbers and letters separated by a hyphen or space ! No other numerals or letters may be displayed

Display of Tags (ORC 1547. 57) ! Attach the two issued tags : # on each side of the bow # six inches toward the stern from the number ! Tags must be visible and affixed prior to operation. EXPIRES 2008 6"

Alternate Registration for Hand Powered Vessel (ORC 1547. 54) ! The owner of a hand powered canoe, rowboat or inflatable watercraft may choose either: # A “traditional” registration ! Watercraft will be numbered ! Display two square tags ! Pay lesser fee # An “alternative” registration ! Watercraft is not numbered ! Display single rectangular tag ! Pay higher fee EXPIRES 2008 MARCH 1 000000

Expiration (ORC 1547. 54) ! Registration certificates and tags are valid up to 3 years and expire on March 1 of the year indicated. EXPIRES 2008 MARCH 1 000000 Valid 3 Years Expires March 1

Expiration (ORC 1547. 57) ! All tags shall be removed when they expire. EXPIRES 2005 EXPIRED EXPIRED 2002 1999 1996 1993 1990

OHIO REQUIREMENTS FOR WEARING PFDs Ohio Revised Code 1547

Children under 10 must wear PFD (ORC 1547. 24) ! No person shall operate or permit operation of any vessel under 18 feet long with a child less than 10 years of age not wearing a PFD. ! The PFD must be : # USCG approved Type I, II, or III # good and serviceable condition # appropriate size # securely attached

PFDs Required for Skiers (ORC 1547. 18) ! No person shall ride water-skis, surfboards, inflatable devices (such as tubes, etc. ) or other device being towed by a vessel without wearing a PFD that is : # USCG approved Type I, III or *V # in good condition # appropriate size ! No operator shall tow any person not wearing a PFD. *Type V specifically designed for water skiing

Personal Watercraft (ORC 1547. 41) ! No person shall operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard is wearing a PFD.

OHIO VESSEL & EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS Ohio Revised Code 1547 Ohio Administrative Code 1501

Ohio Specific Requirements ! The following state requirements are in addition to or vary from Federal requirements # Anchor and Line # Visual Distress Signals (additional requirement on inland waters) # Engine Cutoff Switch Lanyard # Muffling Device # Sanitary Systems (additional requirement on inland waters)

Anchor Requirements (ORC 1547. 26 & OAC 1501: 47 -1 -11) ! All watercraft shall carry an anchor and line of sufficient weight and length to anchor securely. ! Exemptions: # vessels less than 14 feet # canoes or kayaks # sailboats less than 21 feet Required on all Ohio waters (Federal waters and inland lakes and streams)

Visual Distress Signals (ORC 1547. 251) ! Lake Erie: (Same as Federal Requirements) # Vessel 16 feet or more - USCG approved signals for both day and night use at all times # Vessel less than 16 feet - USCG approved signals for night use when operating between sunset and sunrise ! Ohio water other than Lake Erie: # a distress flag at least two feet square and international orange in color or a USCG approved daytime distress signal Ohio law requires a day signal on all waters other than Lake Erie

Distress Signals (ORC 1547. 251) ! Exemptions for waters other than Lake Erie: # vessels in an organized marine event, race, etc. # manually propelled vessels # sailboats less than 26 feet with completely open construction and without a motor ! Exemptions for Lake Erie: # same as above except an approved night signal must be carried between sunset and sunrise

Distress Signaling Device Prohibitions (ORC 1547. 69) ! No person shall transport or possess a loaded signaling device other than immediately prior to discharge for giving a visual distress signal. USCG Approved ! Some states and Canada may consider pistol launchers a firearm and restrict or prohibit their use. Check with local authorities.

Engine Cutoff Lanyard (ORC 1547. 41) ! A person operating a personal watercraft (PWC) equipped with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch shall attach the lanyard to their person, clothing or PFD as appropriate. Engine Cutoff Switch Lanyard Required on all Ohio waters

Exhaust Muffler Required (ORC 1547. 31) ! Powercraft shall be equipped with a muffler system that is: # in good working order # in constant operation # effectively installed to prevent excessive or unusual noise ! No person shall remove, alter or modify a muffler in a way that prevents compliance with the law. Required on all Ohio waters

Vessel Sanitary Systems (ORC 1547. 33) ! Except on Lake Erie, Muskingum River and Ohio River no person shall launch any vessel with a sink, toilet, or sanitary system capable of discharging wastes into the water. ! Any sink, toilet, or sanitary system shall be removed, sealed or made to drain into a tank that can be carried or pumped ashore for disposal in an approved sewage treatment works. Look for this standard sign at pump-out & dump stations.

OHIO OPERATING LAWS Ohio Revised Code 1547 Ohio Administrative Code 1501

Boating Course or Proficiency Exam Certificate (ORC 1547. 05) ! No person born on or after Jan. 1, 1982 shall operate a powercraft more than 10 hp unless they have a certificate for either of the following: # a boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) or # a proficiency exam approved by the Ohio Division of Watercraft OHIO BOATER is to certify that 123 EASTThis MAIN STREET HOMETOWN, OH 43210 Joe Boater has completed a NASBLA approved 01/01/82 PE 01/01/00 boating education course

Child Operators (ORC 1547. 06) ! No person under 16 years of age shall operate a personal watercraft (except as provided below). ! A person 12 - 15 may operate a personal watercraft if a supervising person 18 or older is aboard. * ! A person under 12 may not operate a personal watercraft under any condition. v Note: Adult supervision of a child operator does not change the education course requirement for the child operator

Child Operators (ORC 1547. 06) ! No person under 12 shall operate any vessel other than a personal watercraft unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person over 18. ! If the vessel is more than 10 horsepower the supervising person shall be aboard the powercraft. ! No supervising person shall allow any violation of watercraft law. v Note: Adult supervision of a child operator does not change the education course requirement for the child operator

Supervising Persons (ORC 1547. 06) ! Persons supervising a child operating a boat more than 10 horsepower must : # have an education certificate if born on or after Jan. 1, 1982 # be at least 18 years old

Personal Watercraft (ORC 1547. 41) ! No person shall operate a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise. ! No person who owns or has charge over a personal watercraft shall permit operation in violation of laws.

Reckless Operation (ORC 1547. 07) ! No person shall operate a vessel, water skis or similar device: # carelessly or heedlessly # without due caution # in disregard of the rights or safety of any person, vessel, or property # at a rate of speed or in a manner to endanger any person, vessel, or property.

Reckless Operation (ORC 1547. 07) ! Unsafe operation includes: # becoming airborne while crossing the wake of another vessel within 100 feet or unsafe distance # operating at a speed or proximity to a vessel or person being towed so as to require either vessel to swerve to avoid collision # operating less than 200 feet behind a water skier # weaving through congested traffic

Load, Occupant, & Horsepower Limits (ORC 1547. 40) ! No person shall operate a watercraft in excess of any of the limits on the capacity plate. ! When no capacity plate exists, no person shall operate a watercraft if a reasonably prudent person would believe the total load or horsepower has a risk of physical harm to persons or property.

Restricted Areas (ORC 1547. 08) ! No person shall operate a vessel in a designated “swim area” or area buoyed off as “no boats”

Restricted Areas (ORC 1547. 08) ! No person shall operate a vessel at greater than idle speed or create a wake: # in any area buoyed or marked as “no wake” or “idle speed” IDLE SPEED # within 300 feet of any marina, boat dock, gas dock, launch ramp, boat harbor, or harbor entrance on Lake Erie or the Ohio River # from sunset to sunrise between the Dan Beard bridge and Brent Spence bridge on the Ohio River (Downtown Cincinnati)

“Idle Speed” and “Wake” ! Legal definitions: # Idle Speed - the slowest possible speed needed to maintain steerage and maneuverability. (ORC 1547. 01) # Wake - a track left in the water causing waves that may cause discomfort, injury, or damage to persons, watercraft, or property. (OAC 1501: 47 -3 -14) WAKE

Restricted Areas (ORC 1547. 08) ! No person shall operate a vessel within 300 feet of an official diver’s flag unless tending the dive operation.

Interference with Buoys (OAC 1501: 47 -1 -10) Obstructing a Waterway (OAC 1501: 47 -1 -13) ! No person shall tie a watercraft to or interfere with any buoy or other aid to navigation. ! No person shall anchor, moor, tie-up, or raft off to any vessel, dock, launch ramp, or structure so that the vessel blocks, impedes, or restricts other vessels.

Skiing Confined to Ski or Open Zone (ORC 1547. 14) ! Any person on water skis or similar device or who barefoot skis, or any operator who tows a skier shall keep within a ski zone or open zone. (Except areas of Lake Erie and the Ohio River where zones are not established) ! An open zone is a combined speed and ski zone.

Observer Required when Towing (ORC 1547. 15) ! Any person who tows a skier (or person on any other device) shall have a person aboard acting as an observer who is age ten or older and who observes the skier at all times. ! The operator shall observe the approaching traffic at all times.

Water Skiing After Dark Prohibited (ORC 1547. 16) ! No person shall water-ski or be towed on any other device, or operate a vessel towing a person between sunset and sunrise. ! Use an official sunrise-sunset table for exact times.

Local rules may require: ! specific ski zones ! specific traffic patterns ! maximum number of skiers permitted

Sitting, Standing, Walking on Moving Vessels Restricted (ORC 1547. 22) ! No occupant of any vessel underway shall sit, stand, or walk on any area not designed for that movement except when immediately necessary for safe operation.

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (ORC 1547. 11) ! No person shall operate or be in physical control of any vessel, water skis or similar device if the person is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (ORC 1547. 11) ! A Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of. 08% or more is legal proof of operating under the influence. ! A BAC less than. 08% is admissible in court along with other evidence of impairment to prove operating under the influence. ! A BAC of. 02% or more is legal proof for persons under 21 years of age.

Complying with Officer, Yielding to Enforcement Vessel (ORC 1547. 13 & ORC 1547. 131) ! No person shall fail to comply with a lawful order of an officer having authority to regulate the use of vessels. ! A boat operator shall not elude or flee from an officer after a visible or audible signal to stop. ! The operator of any vessel shall stop or give-way upon the approach of a law enforcement vessel with a blue flashing light.

Littering Prohibited (ORC 1547. 49) ! No operator or occupant shall discard litter improperly from any vessel, regardless of intent. ! No operator shall allow litter to be discarded.

Vessel Accident Reports (ORC 1547. 59) ! The operator shall file a full report on a prescribed form if an accident results in: # loss of life # injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid # property damage in excess of $500 ! If the operator is incapacitated an officer shall file the form

OHIO DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION RULES AND REGULATIONS Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 1501: 47 -3

10 MPH Speed Limit (1501: 47 -3 -08) ! The speed limit for Ohio State Park lakes is 10 mph between sunset and sunrise.

No Wake Zones and Restricted Areas (1501: 47 -3 -14) ! No person shall operate in a shore zone, danger zone or a no wake zone at a speed that produces a wake. ! A “wake” is defined as a track left by a watercraft in the water causing waves that may cause discomfort, injury, or damage to persons, watercraft, or property.

No Wake Zones and Restricted Areas (1501: 47 -3 -14) ! A “shore zone” means an area of 300 feet width lying parallel with the shoreline. Shore Zone = 300 Feet ! On the following lakes a “shore zone” is defined by a 100 foot width: Lake White, Salt Fork Lake, Lake Loramie, Dillon Lake, and Delaware Lake.

Swimming Prohibited from Watercraft (1501: 47 -3 -33) ! No person shall swim, bathe, dive, or wade from any watercraft in Ohio State Park water except in officially designated boat swimming areas.

Intoxicating Beverage (1501: 47 -3 -35) ! No person shall overtly and publicly consume or display any beer or intoxicating liquor on a watercraft on any Ohio State Park water.

Local Rules And Ordinances ! Local jurisdictions may have additional boating laws. ! The operator of a vessel is obligated to know the laws. ! Local rules may include: # horsepower limits # speed limits # vessel type or size restrictions # lake zoning or traffic patterns # additional equipment requirements

Keep current on laws! The responsibility is yours! ! This program did not review all boating laws ! Read the Ohio Boat Operators Guide ! Laws change, keep a current copy ! Visit ODNR at the boat shows ! Click on www. ohiodnr. com/watercraft

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft www. ohiodnr. com 1 -877 -4 BOATER