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Ohio DNR Boat Regulations

 

 

 

Here are the items needed to pass the Ohio DNR Watercraft Division Boat Inspection.  If you are inspected and do NOT pass the inspection you may be ticketed or not allowed to launch.  We will try our best to have an officer on site on check-in day at all of the Ohio Trophy Hunts.  I have made some notes on the items, some of which lots of people have NOT passed because they did not pay attention to the law.  Please read the requirements and my notes below and be sure your boat has the proper equipment.  The listings are for power boats 16-26' in length.

I have taken the time and effort to post this summary in the hope that no one in our group ever fails an inspection or gets a ticket.  Please take the time to check out the details.  All of the laws can be found at

 

Required Equipment: Powerboats (including electric motors) 16' but less than 26' in length (Class 1) 26' feet but less than 40' in length (Class 2)
TITLE (does NOT have to be carried onboard the boat; should be kept in a safe place with other important papers.)
(ORC 1548.03) 		Yes Yes
REGISTRATION & NUMBERS (ORC 1547.53) Yes

See Note 1

 Yes
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES
(ORC 1547.25)		 One type I, II, III or V wearable device for each person on board. On vessels less than 18 feet in length, any child less than 10 years of age must wear a properly fitted type I, II or III flotation device at all times.

See Note 2

 Yes
One Type IV throwable device as an extra. Yes Yes
FIRE EXTINGUISHER(S)
(ORC 1547.27)		 One type B-1 Exception for vessels propelled by an electric motor and vessels less than 26 feet in length designed for use with an outboard motor, of  
Two type B-1 or one B-2   Yes
Three type B-1 or one B-2 plus one B-1.    
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
(ORC 1547.251)		 On Lake Erie a USCG approved signal for both day and night use. Yes

See Note 3

 Yes
On Lake Erie (sunset to sunrise) a USCG approved signal for night use.    
On waters other than Lake Erie a distress flag or USCG approved signal for day use. Yes Yes
SOUND SIGNALING DEVICES
(OAC 1501:47-2-33)		 On *federal waters and inland waters a power whistle or horn and a bell.   Applies to any vessel of 12 meters (39.4 feet) or more in length.4
On *federal waters a whistle, horn or other device. Yes

See Note 4

 Applies to any vessel less than 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length.5
On inland waters a whistle, horn or other device. Yes Yes
ANCHOR AND LINE (ORC 1547.26 & OAC 1501:47-1-11) Yes

See Note 5

 Yes
LIGHTS
(OAC 1501:47-2)		 Running lights as prescribed by federal and state law. Yes Yes
Running lights or electric torch or lighted lantern.    
Anchor light Yes Yes
VENTILATION--Engine and fuel tank compartments. (ORC 1547.29) Yes Yes
BACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTOR--Inboard engines (ORC 1547.28) Yes Yes
MUFFLING DEVICE or underwater exhaust (ORC 1547.31) Yes Yes
ENGINE CUTOFF SWITCH LANYARD (ORC 1547.41)    
INLAND NAVIGATION RULES (OAC 1501:47-4-03)   Applies to any vessel of 12 meters (39.4 feet) or more in length.
GARBAGE PLACARD (OAC 1501:47-4-04)   Yes
OIL POLLUTION PLACARD (OAC 1501:47-4-02)
Note Lance's Comments (Listed in RED)
1 This is the item that is not passed by most boaters.  Please know the law!! 

According to the Ohio Law-The number shall:

  • be placed on each side of the forward half of the watercraft;
  • read from left to right; (important!  Remember the registration tag needs to go at the END of the numbers so the registration tag will be toward the bow on the starboard side of the boat and toward the stern on the port side of the boat)
  • be in block characters of good proportion; (If you have "fancy" lettering from a sign company or dealer it may not pass.  The key word is BLOCK)
  • be a minimum of three inches in height; (Again check closely.  Most dealer letter kits are only 2.5" high)
  • contrast with the background or boat color; (Be careful here also.  Black letters on a red boat will NOT pass!)
  • be separated by a hyphen or equivalent space between the prefix and suffix; (Same as the Michigan Law!!  Do not put the letters and numbers on the boat without the proper spacing.)
  • be maintained to be clearly visible and legible
  • Good Examples:      MC  1234  AB   (tag)    or      MC-1234-AB (tag)
2 Each PFD shall be:
  • U.S. Coast Guard approved;
  • in good and serviceable condition;
  • an appropriate size for the wearer;
  • readily accessible to each person aboard the watercraft at all times (If you get stopped on the water and PFDs have to be removed from a compartment to be shown to officer, you WILL get a ticket.  Have them out and accessible at all times-only smart!!)

Child PFD Requirements
No person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel under 18 feet long with a child less than 10 years of age on board unless the child is wearing a PFD.   (Any child 10 of under must ALWAYS have a PFD on when in the boat!)

 

 
3 Distress Signals
(ORC 1547.251)
When operating on federally controlled waters (Lake Erie or the immediately connecting bays, harbors, and anchorage areas):

No person shall operate or permit operation of a vessel:

  • 16 feet or more in length or any vessel carrying six or fewer passengers for hire without carrying U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals for both day and night use;
  • any vessel between sunset and sunrise unless carrying U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals for night use.

The required distress signals shall be:

  • United States Coast Guard approved;
  • in good and serviceable condition; (Remember flares have expiration dates!!!  Be sure to check them before heading down.)
  • readily accessible;  (Again, don't have to go looking around for safety equipment-you WILL get a ticket on the water)
  • of the type and quantities required (see following chart).

    VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNAL OPTIONS
    DESCRIPTION QUANTITY DAY OR NIGHT USE
    Hand Held Orange Smoke Hand Held Orange Smoke 3 Day Only
    Floating Orange Smoke Floating Orange Smoke 3 Day Only
    Orange Flag Orange Flag 1 Day Only
    Hand Held Red Flare Hand Held Red Flares 3 Day & Night
    Parachute Red Flare Parachute Red Flares 3 Day & Night
    Red Aerial Pyrotechnic Flare Red Aerial Pyrotechnic Flares 3 Day & Night
    Electric Distress Signal Electric Distress Signal 1 Night Only
4 Equipment for Sound Signals
(OAC 1501:47-2-33)
 

A vessel less than 40 feet in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound devices described in the preceding paragraph. However, the vessel must be provided with a means of making an efficient sound signal. (Be sure to have a whistle, air horn etc.)

 
5
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 the watercraft securely. No person shall operate or permit to be operated any watercraft in violation of this section.

(A length of chain between the anchor and line is STRONGLY recommended.  The officers will work on the "5X rule" that states to anchor safely you will need 5' of line for every 1' of water you are in.  There is no set length, but  less than 150' might not pass the inspection.  Carry 150-200' to be safe!)