(a) No person shall operate upon the waters of Lake Erie or the immediately connecting bays, harbors and anchorage areas a watercraft that is:
(1) Sixteen or more feet in length or any boat carrying six or fewer passengers for hire without carrying Coast Guard approved visual distress signals for both day and night use; or
(2) Less than sixteen feet in length between sunset and sunrise without carrying Coast Guard approved distress signals for night use.
The distress signals required by this subsection 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.A. 1451, as amended.
(b) No person shall operate a watercraft upon the waters in the City other than Lake Erie or the immediately connecting bays, harbors and anchorage, unless the watercraft carries either a distress flag, at least two feet square and international orange in color, or a Coast Guard approved daytime distress signal.
(c) No person shall display any distress signal, unless a watercraft or a person is in distress and in need of help.
(d) This section does not apply to:
(1) Watercraft competing in an organized marine parade, race, regatta or similar event;
(2) Manually propelled watercraft; or
(3) Sailboats less than twenty-six feet in length with completely open construction and without propulsion machinery.
(e) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Punishment shall be as provided in Section 698.02. (ORC 1547.99(C))