News Release

COLUMBUS, OH -- Several new state boating regulations, created to bring Ohio law into compliance with federal rules, took effect March 18 as a result of state legislation passed late last year. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft, these changes will have little, if any direct impact on Ohio boaters.

New or revised regulations:

Require that boat registration tags must be removed from the boat when they have expired.

Amend the "No Wake/Idle Speed" zone on the Ohio River between the Dan Beard and Brent Spence bridges in Cincinnati, which now applies only from sunset to sunrise.

Strengthen the existing law that boat owners arrested for "operating under the influence" of drugs or alcohol may have the boat's registration certificate and tags seized.

Create a temporary boat registration system when purchasing a boat requiring a title, provided certain provisions are met.

Require commercial vessels less than 40 feet in length to now meet minimum life jacket requirements similar to those required for recreational boats. Commercial vessels 40 feet and longer must carry at least one Type I Personal Flotation Device for each person on board and one Type IV ring-life buoy.

Allow the ODNR Division of Watercraft to donate unclaimed boats and outboard motors to charitable, religious, or not-for-profit organizations.