<P> To try and answer the questions about boat numbers here is what I know from five years with watercraft. The numbers simply need to be in a contrasting color of the hull, black on green is fine, 3" block style letters with a space between OH 1234 DH, and 6" between the numbers and the state sticker. As for an alternate power source and the bailing bucket, those are items that the USCG recomends but, does not require. Ohio adopted federal boating regulations back in 1972, and depending on where you boat, the size of your boat, length, and how you propel your boat all determine what the REQUIRED saftey equipment is. Also watercraft officers do have a quota of boating inspection for the year, 300 I think per officer. There is no law against quotas of any kind. To answer the next question, do I still work for watercraft?, NO!!! I do more in a day as a police officer than a watercraft officer does in a month. Your best bet to know what is going on in the boating laws area is pick up a handbook on the regs at any watercraft office or at the boat and sport show. </P>