Ohio’s life jacket laws state that other than commercial vessels, no person shall operate or permit to be operated any watercraft that is 16 feet or greater in length without carrying one, Type ...

Pennsylvania’s Life Jacket Laws Life jacket laws in Pennsylvania require all boats to have a USCG-approved wearable life jacket on board for each person. Life jackets must be the appropriate siz...

Pennsylvania’s Boater Education Requirements Pennsylvania’s boater education requirements stipulate that any person born on or after January 1st, 1982, is required to have a Pennsylvania B...

River Navigation Boating in rivers is different than operating on an open waterway. Boating in rivers presents its own unique hazards and conditions. Some rivers may exhibit strong currents, which can...

Handling a Personal Watercraft Operating a personal watercraft (PWC) is a fun, fast way to enjoy recreational boating! However, PWCs are a different type of watercraft and their handling characteristi...

Back-Fire Flame Control Devices If your boat is gasoline-powered and has an inboard engine that was installed after April 1940, it must have a Back-Fire Flame Arrestor (BFA) mounted to each carburetor...

Your Boat’s Gross Load Capacity and Horsepower Recommendations You must be aware of the federal regulations for your boat’s engine power (horsepower) and gross load capacity (maximum weight). Acco...

Planning Ahead Running out of fuel is the number one cause of boater distress. Make sure that you plan your trip requirements and carry enough fuel to get you there… and back without any trouble. Us...

Boat Safety Equipment Requirements Different sizes and types of boats are required to carry different safety equipment. To understand the necessities for each watercraft, refer to the below charts for...

Before heading out on the water, it’s important to understand the requirements to drive a boat. Horsepower restrictions for young boaters differ slightly depending on the age of the operator an...