The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft officers will be patrolling at various times the week leading up to the RCL Tour Lake Erie tournament (May 19-26). Anglers may encounter an officer at the launch ramps and be asked for a safety inspection of the vessel. If a boater passes the boat safety inspection, the officers will issue a decal indicating they passed the inspection.
In addition to their regular patrols leading up to the tournament, they will offer two inspection periods on Monday, May 26, at Catawba Island State Park launch ramp. The first will be from 7-9 a.m., and the second will be from 2-4 p.m.
To expedite the inspection process, boaters with outboard motor vessels 16 feet to just under 26 feet long should have the following equipment:
· A valid vessel registration decal and registration card or paper on board
· Properly displayed vessel registration numbers
· One type I, II, III or V wearable Personal Flotation Device (life jacket) for each person on board and one type IV throwable PFD
· One type B-1 fire extinguisher
· Valid Coast Guard approved marine flares (set of 3) – Note that these expire every three years, and a set with a good date must be carried. Hand-held flares or 12-gauge meteor flares with a launcher will satisfy this requirement.
· A horn, bell, whistle or other sound signaling device
· An anchor and line of sufficient weight and length, red-green running lights and all-around white light for night-restricted visibility operation
Anglers can find additional information online: The Ohio DNR general Web site address is www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/ and the powerboat required equipment chart is located at www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/laws/powerboat.html.