(A) Any bona fide dealer in watercraft, or any manufacturer of watercraft, upon annual application to the division of parks and watercraft, may receive for each separate place of business a dealer or manufacturer registration certificate assigning a dealer number for use while operating watercraft on the waters in this state.

A watercraft dealer, prospective purchaser, or third party operating the watercraft may use a registration certificate on a watercraft when any of the following occurs:

(1) The dealer or third party is transporting the watercraft to the person who purchased it from the dealer;

(2) The dealer is demonstrating the capabilities of the watercraft for purposes of selling or leasing the watercraft;

(3) The dealer or. with the permission of the dealer, the prospective purchaser or third party is otherwise utilizing the watercraft.

However, a watercraft dealer shall not use a registration certificate for any commercial purpose, such as the rental or chartering of watercraft. In addition, a watercraft dealer shall not loan a certificate to any person for the purpose of circumventing any law of this state.

The fee for such a certificate shall be fifty dollars annually.

The chief of the division shall select an authorized agent from among those designated under section 1547.54 of the Revised Code to issue dealer and manufacturer registration certificates. The agent shall provide an authorized facsimile of the signature of the chief on each registration certificate and on each pocket-sized certificate issued under this section.

(B) Registration certificates issued to marine dealers or manufacturers shall be available for inspection at all times at the dealers' or manufacturers' place of business for which the certificates were issued.

(C) The division shall issue to each registered dealer or manufacturer one or more pocket-sized certificates bearing the dealer or manufacturer registration number, which shall be carried by the dealer, the manufacturer, or an employee aboard any watercraft being operated on the waters in this state.

(D) Each dealer in or manufacturer of watercraft shall display on both sides of any watercraft being operated on the waters in this state the dealer or manufacturer registration number and the validation decals assigned by the authorized agent selected by the chief under this section so that the decals and number are clearly visible under normal operating conditions. The authorized agent selected by the chief shall furnish with each dealer or manufacturer registration certificate one or more sets of registration validation decals of a size and shape prescribed by the chief. Additional sets of decals may be purchased for a two-dollar fee.

In accordance with federal law, no person shall recklessly display or affix a dealer or manufacturer registration number on a watercraft in a manner that causes permanent alteration to the watercraft's hull prior to a final sale.

(E) The chief may issue an order temporarily or permanently restricting or suspending a dealer or manufacturer registration certificate without a hearing if the chief finds that the holder of the certificate has violated this section.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 293, §1, eff. 9/14/2016.

Effective Date: 03-18-1999 .