How old do I have to be to operate a PWC* in Ohio?
Children under 12 MAY NOT operate a PWC, not even with adult supervision.
Children age 12 through 15 may operate a PWC under the DIRECT supervision of a person 18 years old or older who is aboard the vessel.
Children age 16 or older may operate a PWC without supervision.
ANYONE WHO WAS BORN ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1982, MUST FULFILL OHIO'S MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION LAW BEFORE OPERATING A WATERCRAFT OF MORE THAN 10 HORSEPOWER, which includes all PWC.
In the case of a supervising person onboard, the youth AND the supervising person must BOTH meet the requirements of the Mandatory Boater Education Law. Since all PWC are greater than 10 horsepower, the defining limit is the date of birth.
Click here for Ohio's boater education requirement.
*PWC = Personal Watercraft such as Jetski, SeaDoo, Waverunner, etc. |