Ohio boating and alcohol laws

It is illegal in the state of Ohio for a person to operate any boat that is underway, or to manipulate any waterskis or similar device, if the person is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. This includes prescription drugs.

In Ohio, a person is considered to be under the influence if:

• They have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher.  
• They are under 21 years of age and have a BAC level or 0.02 or more.

Additionally, a BAC of less than 0.08 is admissible in court along with other evidence of impairment to prove operating under the influence.

Penalties for drinking and boating

In Ohio, a person convicted of operating a boat while under the influence will be subject to the following penalties:

First offense:

• A minimum of 3 days in jail and a $150 fine.
• A maximum of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Second offense:

• A minimum of 10 days in jail and a $150 fine.
• A maximum of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Third offense:

• A minimum of 30 days in jail and a $150 fine.
• A maximum of up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

OHIO BOAT REGISTRATION

To operate a boat in Ohio, the boat must be properly registered, numbered and titled, if required.

A valid registration certificate must be carried on the boat as proof of having  proper registration. You must also display two square registration tags on the boat.

Registration certificates and tags can be obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Watercraft office. They are valid for up to 3 years and expire on March 1 of the year indicated. Always remove your expired tags.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN OHIO

• Boats that have been federally documented by the Coast Guard.
• Boats numbered by another state and operated in Ohio for 60 days or less.
• Boats from a country other than the United States that are temporarily using Ohio’s waterways.
• Boats owned by the United States, a state or political subdivision.
• The lifeboats of a ship.
• Boats exempted by the chief of the Division of Parks & Watercraft.
• Boats under a waiver issued for a race or special event.
• Canoes, rowboats and inflatable boats that have Alternative Registration.
• Sailboards (or wind surfers), kite boards, paddleboards, belly boats and float tubes.

BOAT TITLING REQUIREMENTS

A boat or engine that is required to have a title can not be registered until a title is issued in the new owner’s name. Boat and engine titles can be obtained from any county title office.

The following boats and engines must be titled in order to be sold, purchased or otherwise acquired:

• An outboard motor of 10 horsepower or greater.
• A boat that is  14 feet in length or greater,
• A boat that is under 14 feet in length that has a permanently attached, mechanical engine of 10 horsepower or greater.

NEW OWNERS OF USED BOATS

If a used boat is purchased or transferred to a new owner, the new owner must take the previous registration form, with the transfer section completed by the seller, to a boat registration agent. 

Keep in mind that if the boat requires a title and is transferred to a new owner, it may only be operated for up to 60 days, if the new owner carries either of the following on board the boat:

• A temporary boat registration form (from an authorized registration agent).
• A bill of sale from a boat dealer containing the required information.

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN OHIO?

Boats in Ohio are not required to be insured, however it is recommended. 

Every boat that’s operated on Ohio’s waterways is required to be numbered by the state of Ohio or by the boat owner’s state of residence. The number must be properly displayed on the boat at all times.

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• The numbers must be painted or otherwise permanently affixed to each side of the boat’s bow.
• The color of the registration number must contrast with the color of the boat.
• The numbers must be in plain block letters and be at least 3 inches high.
• The number must be read from left to right.
• The numbers and letters must be separated by a hyphen or equivalent space.
• Registration tags must be affixed to each side of the boat, within 6 inches toward the stern of the registration number.
• The registration tags must be maintained in order to be clearly visible in normal conditions and affixed prior to operation of the watercraft.
• These display requirements also apply to personal watercraft (PWCs).
• Documented boats must display one tag on the port side and one on the starboard side.
• No other numbers may be displayed on the bow. All tags shall be removed when they become invalid (expire).

OHIO’S SPECIAL ACTIVITIES PERMITS

It is not permitted within the state of Ohio to conduct a race, regatta, or other special event within the state of Ohio without obtaining a permit. The permit must be obtained 30 days prior to the event. The permit must be obtained from the state or federal agency, or political subdivision that has jurisdiction over the waters where the event will be held.  

Ohio State Parks Rules

• Powercraft can not be operated within or through a shore zone, danger zone or any area marked as a no wake zone at a speed that produces a wake.
• Operators are not permitted to sleep at night aboard a vessel adrift, at anchor, docked, moored, tied-up or beached on Ohio State Park waters except in designated locations. Some parks have designated boat camping areas. Inquire about locations at the specific park office. Go online to ohiostateparks.org to find out more.
• No person shall swim, bathe, dive, or wade from any watercraft in Ohio State Park water except in officially designated boat swimming areas. Most state parks have an area for boats to pull up to the public beach, and many parks have designated boat swim areas.
• No person shall overtly and publicly consume or display the presence of any beer or intoxicating liquor on any watercraft on any waters administered by Ohio State Parks.
• While being towed by a watercraft, no person shall have any airfoil or balloon for the purpose of becoming airborne over Ohio State Park waters.

Non-native Aquatic Species

The spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) pose a risk to Ohio’s native aquatic wildlife, ecosystems and to all of Ohio’s water-based recreation. Ohio’s most common ANS include: Asian Carp, Zebra Mussels, Flowering Rush, Round Goby, Ruffe, Rusty Crayfish, Sea Lamprey, and White Perch.

Unfortunately, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) spread easily from one body of water to the next, which is why boaters must take preventative measures each time they leave the water.

Educate yourself on the increasing threat of these uninvited guests. Milfoil, zebra mussels and other ANS are being increasingly regulated to prevent their spread.

Perform the following actions every time your boat leaves a waterway:

• Remove all visible aquatic plants and animals from your boat, motor, trailer and other equipment before leaving the access area.
• Always drain live wells and transom wells before leaving the water.
• Never dump live bait into any lake, river or stream.

Help prevent the spread of non-native species

• Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
• Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water.
• Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props.
• Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land. 
• Avoid chopping vegetation with your boat’s propeller.
• Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
• Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.