Quote Originally Posted by wakina View Post
It is like a highway vehicle safety inspection stop that was/is carried out by the state only on the water instead under federal guidelines, Ohio division of water craft also has that same authority under state guidelines.
I was coming into Port Clinton was in the river before the drawbridge where a USCG gave us a visual check without stopping us. Best way to avoid a USCG check is to have your PFDs on as it is a visual sign that you are at least concerned about your personal safety. It's like seeing a bigger fish to fry when they see a boat where no one has a PDF on .