971.20 DISTRESS FLAG REQUIRED.

   (a)    No person shall display any distress signal unless a watercraft or a person is in distress and in need of help.

   (b)   The distress signals required by this division shall be in good and serviceable condition, readily accessible, and of the type and quantities required by the "Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971", 85 Stat. 213, 46 U.S.C. 1451, as amended.

   (c)    This section does not apply to:

      (1)    Watercraft competing in an organized marine parade, race, regatta or similar event;

      (2)    Manually propelled watercraft;

      (3)    Sailboats less than twenty-six feet in length with completely open construction and without propulsion machinery.

         (ORC 1547.251)