Plan on rafting (home made barrel raft) from southern Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico... Any legal concerns?

Question

Can I be pulled over and ticketed on any of the waterways?

Is the craft legal to... sail on?

Answer 1

Legal?  Where do you want your belongings sent, if any are found-we won't have to worry about your body, you will be catfish bait.  Most rational people would realize that this is a very bad idea, but just in case you are not convinced, I rec you try a week or so floating around a lake on your home made craft-wet and cold 24/7comes to mind.  Here is a thought, buy a small powered boat, 16 to 18 feet, outboard power, current registration, you can float till your sick of it, and you will be legal, somewhat dry,and you might survive-just a thought, might prevent you from getting a 'Darwin Award'.

Answer 2

Well Huck, you and Tom will have to get it registered.

And the authorities may want to inspect it now and then.

And those barges/tows will make a h**l of a wake when they go by, strap down your provisions, and protect them from getting wet.

Can I show you something in a nice canoe or a couple kayaks?

Edit: yes they can keep you off the water if you are not registered. And, the wakes from the barges can be real trouble, they could tear up a barge such as yours.

Answer 3

I would make sure you have a legal last will & testament in place before you do this 'adventure'.  

in my opinion this would be very irresponsible and would not be considered prudent navigation in court of law.  commercial traffic on the inland waterways, particularly the mississippi river is hectic, tugs and tows would not be able to see you and you will have serious trouble manuevering to avoid collisions.  radar will not pick up a raft until it is too late, if at all.