COLUMBUS, OH -- Winter and early spring offer an excellent time before boating season begins for Ohioans to take an approved boater education course, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Ohioans interested in taking a refresher boating safety course or those who need to comply with the state's mandatory boater education law can find a county-by-county course at the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com. Approved home study courses also are available.
Individuals born on or after January 1, 1982 are required by Ohio law to complete a safety course before operating a powerboat with 10 horsepower or more.
Boater education courses, approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, are offered through the Division of Watercraft, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, the Boat/US Foundation and other ODNR boating partners. Instructors are certified by the Division of Watercraft, U.S. Power Squadrons, or U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
According to ODNR, more than 12,000 Ohioans completed an approved boater education course last year. Included in that total were 4,246 individuals born on or after January 1, 1982, who now are required by Ohio law to complete the education course.