Boating
Age Requirements
Both Ohio
and Kentucky have jurisdiction along the Ohio River between the two
states. Because both state's laws are in effect, you must fulfill both.
Kentucky's
operation age law is tied directly to the boater
education law:
- Those
less than 12 years of age may not legally operate any motorized vessel
over 10 HP (including PWCs).
- Those 12
to 17 years of age may legally operate a motorized vessel over 10 HP
(including PWCs) only if they:
Have
passed an approved boating safety course and carry on board their boater
education certificate OR Are accompanied on board by a person 18 years
old or older or by a person who possesses a boater education card.
- Those 18
years of age or older may operate any vessel on the waters of Kentucky
without restrictions.
In Ohio,
the laws are separate (operator age laws preceded the education law),
and even PWCs are separated from other power boats greater than 10HP:
-Anyone
born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a boat powered by more
than 10 HP must successfully pass an approved boating education course
-- this law automatically applies to anyone who turns 25 or less this
year.
-Operators 12 to 15 years old may not operate a PWC without an adult
(18 or older) on board. (16 years old is the age where they can operate
by themselves in Ohio)
-Operators
12 to 15 years MAY operate a powerboat greater than 10 HP except PWCs
Both
states require NASBLA-approved boating courses. Kentucky's or Ohio's
state course (and quite a few others) are acceptable.
So,
depending on your child's age and what they are operating, combining the
two state's laws:
Education:
If they
are operating any boat greater than 10hp and were born on or after
January 1, 1982, they need NASBLA-approved boater education.
Operator
Age:
If they
are under 12, they can't operate a powerboat or PWC over 10HP. (KY law)
If they
are 12 to 15 and it's a PWC they need an adult on board with them. (Ohio
law)
If they
are 12 to 15 and it's a powerboat greater than 10HP, they are good to
go since the education requirement covers them in KY and OH.
If they
are 16 to 17, they are good to go on any powerboat or PWC, since the
education requirement covers them in KY and OH.
If they
are 18, they can drive a PWC or powerboat without adult supervision.
In all
cases they must carry their certificate onboard. Ohio does not have this
requirement, but Kentucky does.
