(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, no person under sixteen (16) years of age shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters in this state. A person who is not less than twelve (12), nor more than fifteen (15) years of age may operate a personal watercraft if a supervising person eighteen (18) years of age or older is aboard the personal watercraft and, in the case of a supervising person born on or after January 1, 1982, if the supervising person holds a certificate obtained under RC 1547.05 or, in the case of a rented powercraft, meets the requirements of RC 1547.052.
(b) No person under twelve (12) years of age shall operate any vessel on the waters in this state unless the person is under the direct visual and audible supervision, during the operation, of a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older. This division does not apply to a personal watercraft, which shall be governed by division (a) of this section, or to a powercraft, other than a personal watercraft, powered by more than ten (10) horsepower, which shall be governed by division (c) of this section.
(c) No person under twelve (12) years of age shall operate on the waters in this state a powercraft, other than a personal watercraft, powered by more than ten (10) horsepower unless the person is under the direct visual and audible supervision, during the operation, of a person eighteen (18) years of age or older who is aboard the powercraft and, in the case of such a supervising person born on or after January 1, 1982, who holds a certificate obtained under RC 1547.05 or, in the case of a rented powercraft, meets the requirements of RC 1547.052.
(d) No supervising person eighteen (18) years of age or older shall permit any person who is under the supervising person’s supervision and who is operating a vessel on the waters in this state to violate any section of this chapter or a rule adopted under it.
(RC 1547.06)
(e) No owner of any watercraft or any person having such in charge or in control shall authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by any person who by reason of physical or mental disability is incapable of operating such watercraft under the prevailing circumstances.
(f) No person shall operate any watercraft when mentally or physically incapacitated so as to prevent operation in a safe and competent manner.
(Ord. No. 835-03. Passed 6-10-03, eff. 6-12-03)