|
Summary/Comparison of PWC related laws in and surrounding NW
Ohio. |
|
Disclaimer: The summarized information
presented here is for comparison use only!
Do not rely on the accuracy of this table. Laws are subject to change.
It is the responsibility of the operator to be aware of the most current laws
when using a watercraft. Consult the individual jurisdictions for official
laws. Information compiled 08/06/2002, Edit 8, 03/28/2004. |
|
Boating/PWC Related Laws |
Indiana |
Michigan |
Ohio |
Canada |
|
Clearance from Lake Shorelines |
200' min (IC
14-15-3-17) |
100' min with 200' min on Great
Lakes * |
Some State Parks may have 100 '
to 300' min. |
Speed limit of 10km/h (6 mph)
within 30 meters (100 ft) from shore |
|
Clearance from Diver or Diving
vessel |
150' min (IC
14-15-9-5) |
200' min |
300' min (ORC 1547.08)
|
? |
|
Clearance from
Dock/Marina/Ramp/Etc. |
? |
100' min, unless navigable
channel/canal/river or stream * |
300' min * (ORC
1547.08)
|
see above |
|
Clearance from vessel not in
motion or person in water |
? |
100' min, unless navigable
channel/canal/river or stream * |
|
? |
|
Clearance from behind water
skier/tuber/etc. |
? |
(see above) |
200' (ORC
1547.07) |
? |
|
Water Depth for PWC |
? |
2' min * |
none |
? |
|
PWC Crossing Wakes |
Illegal unless safe (IC 14-15-12-10) |
150' unless crossing behind
another PWC * |
100' min if airborne. (ORC 1547.07) |
? |
|
PWC Prohibited Operating Times |
Sunset to Sunrise (unless
properly lighted) |
1 Hour before Sunset to 8:00 am |
Sunset to Sunrise (ORC 1547.41) |
? |
|
Official Source for Sunset and
Sunrise Times |
? |
National Weather Service |
National Weather Service |
? |
|
PWC Operator Age Minimum |
15 with approved ID card (IC 14-15-11) |
14 |
16 (ORC 1547.06) |
16 |
|
PWC Operator Age with Supervisor |
Same as above |
12 with sole riding parent/legal
guardian with education course and lanyard attached to adult. 2 seat PWC min. |
12 with riding supervisor of at
least 18. (ORC 1547.06)
|
Same as above |
|
PWC Rider Age Requirements |
? |
Under 7 may ride only with
parent, guardian, or designee. |
See "PWC Operator Age with
passenger" above |
? |
|
Education Age Requirement |
See below |
Anyone born on/after Jan 1, 1979 |
Anyone born on/after Jan 1,
1982 (ORC
1547.05)
|
All PWC operators after Sept 15,
2002 |
|
Education Certificate
Requirement |
Boating Course if 15. Otherwise
Drivers License or Boating Course. |
Residents must have proctored
exam. NASBLA certificate recognized for non-residents. |
Any NASLBA approved boating
course., or ODNR approved exam.
(ORC 1547.05) |
Canadian
Coast Guard Approved Course. NASBLA certificate recognized for citizens of
the U.S. |
|
Water Skiiing/Tubing/Etc. |
Spotter must be at least 12. PWC
must be 10'+ and seat at least 3. (IC 14-15-12-7) |
May particpate only with
parent/guardian/designee if under 7. |
Spotter must be at least 10. PFD
Type I or II required if under 12. (ORC 1547.15) |
Spotter. PWC must seat at least
3. Sunrise to 1 hr after sunset only. |
|
Circular Course |
Illegal around a fishing boat or
swimmer (IC 14-15-3-16) |
No specfic law. See related laws. |
No specfic law. See related laws. |
No specfic law. See related laws. |
|
Operator Must Face Forward |
Law is specific. (IC 14-15-12-6) |
No specfic law. See related laws. |
No specfic law. See related laws. |
No specfic law. See related laws. |
|
Idle Speed Defined |
5 mph max |
? |
Slowest possible speed needed to
maintain steerage and maneuverability.
(ORC 1547.08) |
10km/h (6 mph) |
|
Wake Defined |
? |
? |
Defined as a track left in the
water by a watercraft, causing waves that may cause discomfort, injury or
damage to persons, watercraft or property. (ORC 1547.08) |
? |
|
Required Safety Equipment |
PFD Type I or II. Lanyard-type
engine cutoff or self circle PWC |
PFD (PFD type I, II or III if
under 13), B-1 Fire Extinguisher, lanyard-type engine cutoff switch |
PFD Type I, II, II or V, B-1 Fire
Extinguisher, lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, USCG approved signal for day
use. |
See:
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/sbg-gsn/pwc_e.htm |
|
Information Sources |
http://www.in.gov/dnr/boating/statutes.html#ic14-15-12 |
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10884-34774--,00.html
(Law was amended 03/16/2004, so site may not have latest update) |
http://www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft/laws |
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/main_e.htm |
|
* Traveling at a
Slow/No Wake speed is usually
excepted. See the individual laws for
specfics. |
|
Items with a
"?" question mark indicate only that a specific law was not
identified or researched. Do not assume they do not exist! |
|
|
|
HOME PAGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|