For more information on the boating laws in the state of Ohio visit: www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft
- Except as provided, no person under 16 shall operate at PWC. Individuals not less than 12, nor more than 15 years of age may operate a PWC only if an adult supervisor of at least 18 years of age and in possession of an approved boating education certificate if born on or after January 1, 1982, is aboard the craft.
- Persons under 12 years of age:
- May not operate a personal watercraft
- Shall not operate any vessel unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older. This section does not apply to personal watercraft or other powercraft greater than 10 hp.
- Shall not operate any other powercraft greater than 10 hp unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older who is aboard the powercraft. If the supervising person was born after January 1, 1982, they must possess an approved boating education certificate as defined above.
Ohio requires persons born on or after January 1, 1982 operating a powercraft greater than 10 hp to take a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating course or pass a proficiency exam approved by the Division of Watercraft. Boaters who are required to possess a boating education certificate shall present to the law enforcement officer the certificate or proof of holding the certificate within 72 hours of being stopped.
No rental business shall lease or rent a powercraft greater than 10 hp to a person born on or after January 1, 1982 unless they sign a statement that they have completed an approved Division of Watercraft course or proficiency exam. As an alternative, the rental business may provide education materials and administer an exam which the boater must pass with a score of 90% or better. Boaters choosing this option must take the exam offered by the rental agency each time they rent a boat.
Child Operators:
We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees.
