Required Safety Equipment

The safety equipment required by law to be carried onboard your boat depends first on the type of propulsion and then by style and length of the boat.

To begin, click on the tab that corresponds to the propulsion method for your boat. Any motor -- gas or electric -- makes your boat a powerboat, even if it's only a backup.

Once you have chosen the method of propulsion, find the column along the top that applies to the vessel you are outfitting. A dot in that column means that item is required. The number refers to a footnote, which explains any exceptions.

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 item to be legally acceptable. WARNING: If a vessel is exempt from carrying specific equipment, that does not mean that a wise skipper would not carry it anyway! BOAT SMART OHIO!

 
Powerboats (including Electric Motors)Sailboats (No Motor)Manually Propelled

Required Equipment: Powerboats (including electric motors)

 PWCs less than 16' Less than 16' in length (Class A) 16' but less than 26' in length (Class 1) 26' feet but less than 40' in length (Class 2) 40' feet but less than 65' in length (Class 3)
TITLE Does NOT have to be carried onboard the boat; should be kept in a safe place with other important papers. ORC 1548.03 A title is not required for any vessel less than 14 feet in length EXCEPT: effective January 1, 2000, vessels less than 14 feet in length with a permanently affixed mechanical means of propulsion of 10 HP or more will need a title -- this includes PWCs such as JetSkis and Waverunners. A title is not required for any vessel less than 14 feet in length EXCEPT: effective January 1, 2000, vessels less than 14 feet in length with a permanently affixed mechanical means of propulsion of 10 HP or more will need a title.1 Yes Yes Yes

REGISTRATION & NUMBERS
ORC 1547.53

 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES
ORC 1547.25		 One type I, II, III or V wearable device for each person on board. Every person on board a personal watercraft must wear a properly fitted Type I, II, II or V flotation device.8 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.2 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.2 Yes Yes
One Type IV throwable device as an extra.     Yes Yes Yes
FIRE
EXTINGUISHER(S)
ORC 1547.27		 One type B-1 Yes Exception for vessels propelled by an electric motor and vessels less than 26 feet in length designed for use with an outboard motor, of 3 Exception for vessels propelled by an electric motor and vessels less than 26 feet in length designed for use with an outboard motor, of 3    
Two type B-1 or one B-2       Yes  
Three type B-1 or one B-2 plus one B-1         Yes
VISUAL
DISTRESS
SIGNALS
ORC 1547.251		 On Lake Erie a USCG approved signal for both day and night use     Yes Yes Yes
On Lake Erie (sunset to sunrise) a USCG approved signal for night use 9 Yes      
On waters other than Lake Erie a distress flag or USCG approved signal for day use Yes Yes Yes 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 Yes
On *federal waters a whistle, horn or other device Yes Yes Yes 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 Yes
ANCHOR AND LINE
ORC 1547.26 & OAC 1501:47-1-11		 Exception for any vessel less than 14 feet in length, any canoe, and any sailboat less than 21 feet in length.6 Exception for any vessel less than 14 feet in length, any canoe, and any sailboat less than 21 feet in length.6 Yes Yes Yes
LIGHTS
OAC 1501:47-2		 Running lights as prescribed by federal and state law 9 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Running lights or electric torch or lighted lantern 9        
Anchor light 9 Yes Yes Yes Yes
VENTILATION  Engine and fuel tank compartments ORC 1547.29 Some varieties exempted by U.S. Coast Guard; see note #7 below.7 Yes Yes Yes Yes
BACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTOR 
Inboard engines
ORC 1547.28		 Some varieties exempted by U.S. Coast Guard; see note #7 below.7 Yes Yes Yes Yes
MUFFLING DEVICE
or underwater exhaust
ORC 1547.31		 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
ENGINE CUTOFF SWITCH LANYARD
ORC 1547.41		 Yes        
INLAND NAVIGATION RULES
OAC 1501:47-4-03		       Applies to any vessel of 12 meters (39.4 feet) or more in length.4 Yes
GARBAGE PLACARD
OAC 1501:47-4-04		       Yes Yes
OIL POLLUTION PLACARD
OAC 1501:47-4-02		       Applies to any vessel of 12 meters (39.4 feet) or more in length.4 Yes
  1. A title is not required for any vessel less than 14 feet in length EXCEPT: effective January 1, 2000, vessels less than 14 feet in length with a permanently affixed mechanical means of propulsion of 10 HP or more will need a title.
  2. 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. Exception for vessels propelled by an electric motor and vessels less than 26 feet in length designed for use with an outboard motor, of "open construction".
  4. Applies to any vessel of 12 meters (39.4 feet) or more in length.
  5. Applies to any vessel less than 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length.
  6. Exception for any vessel less than 14 feet in length, any canoe, and any sailboat less than 21 feet in length.
  7. Some varieties of personal watercraft may be exempted by the U.S. Coast Guard. Consult your watercraft dealer or the manufacturer to verify requirements for these devices.
  8. Every person on board a personal watercraft must wear a properly fitted Type I, II, III or V flotation device.
  9. Prohibited from operating between sunset and sunrise.

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