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Required Safety Equipment

The type of safety equipment required by law to be carried onboard your boat depends first on the type of propulsion:

The second thing to consider is the type and length of the boat.

Required Safety Equipment for Manually Propelled Boats (No motor or sail)

Find the column that applies to the vessel you are outfitting. A dot in that column means that item is required. The number beside the dot refers to a footnote which explains any exceptions for vessels in that column. NOTE: This chart is intended for quick reference only and is not a substitute for knowledge of the specifics of Ohio boating laws. Refer to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) for complete boating laws or the Ohio Boat Operator's Guide for a summary of criteria for each equipment item to be legally acceptable. WARNING: If a vessel is exempted from carrying specific equipment, that does not mean that a wise skipper would not carry it anyway! BOAT SMART OHIO!

Manually Propelled Watercraft (No motor or sail) Canoes and Kayaks Rowboats Rubber Raft
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, except for any vessel less than 14 feet in length.1 yes, except for any vessel less than 14 feet in length.1
REGISTRATION & NUMBERS (ORC 1547.53) Yes Yes Exception for any inflatable boat (rubber raft) without a hull identification number (HIN).2
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES
(ORC 1547.25)		 One type I, II, III or V wearable device for each person on board. yes, and 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.3 yes, and 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.3 yes, and 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.3
One Type IV thowable device as an extra.      
FIRE EXTINGUISHER(S)
(ORC 1547.27)		 One type B-1      
Two type B-1 or one B-2      
Three type B-1 or one B-2 plus one B-1.      
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
(ORC 1547.251)		      
On Lake Erie (sunset to sunrise) a USCG approved signal for night use. Yes Yes Yes
On waters other than Lake Erie a distress flag or USCG approved signal for day use.      
SOUND SIGNALING DEVICES
(OAC 1501:47-2-33)		 On *federal waters and inland waters a power whistle or horn and a bell.      
On *federal waters a whistle, horn or other device. Yes Yes Yes
On inland waters a whistle, horn or other device.      
ANCHOR AND LINE (ORC 1547.26 & OAC 1501:47-1-11)   yes, except for any vessel less than 14 feet in length, any canoe, and any sailboat less than 21 feet in length.4 yes, except for any vessel less than 14 feet in length, any canoe, and any sailboat less than 21 feet in length.4
LIGHTS
(OAC 1501:47-2)		 Running lights as prescribed by federal and state law.      
Running lights or electric torch or lighted lantern. Yes Yes Yes
Anchor light Yes Yes Yes
VENTILATION--Engine and fuel tank compartments. (ORC 1547.29)      
BACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTOR--Inboard engines (ORC 1547.28)      
MUFFLING DEVICE or underwater exhaust (ORC 1547.31)      
ENGINE CUTOFF SWITCH LANYARD (ORC 1547.41)      
INLAND NAVIGATION RULES (OAC 1501:47-4-03)      
GARBAGE PLACARD (OAC 1501:47-4-04)      
OIL POLLUTION PLACARD (OAC 1501:47-4-02)      
  1. A title is not required for any vessel less than 14 feet in length.
  2. Contact the manufacturer if the Hull Identification Number can't be located. The HIN is required in order for the vessel to be registered.
  3. 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.
  4. Exception for any vessel less than 14 feet in length, any canoe, and any sailboat less than 21 feet in length.

*Federal waters in Ohio include Lake Erie and connecting bays and harbors on the Ohio River and the Muskingum River.