Ohio Boating Season Begins: National Safe Boating Week May 16-22
The air is warming up, the sun is out more (please let it stay that way!) and everyone is shaking off their winter skin... Spring may not have arrived when the calendar said so, but it is here now. And that means the harbinger of Ohio's boating season, National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22), is just around the corner. The "Wear It Ohio!" campaign kicks off at selected inland waterways this month, so it's time to get ready and get back on the water! [read more]
Vessel Safety Checks Begin
 ODNR Watercraft and our partners are ensuring a safe start to the season by offering free vessel safety checks across the state. [read more]
Local Marine Patrol Units Poised to Provide Safety Patrols this Season
In a continued effort to maintain safe waterways for recreational boaters, a total of $539,276 in grant awards will be shared this year among 26 local marine patrol units across Ohio. [news release]
What's New in Boating Rules for 2009
A number of entities that manage waterways in Ohio are seeking ways to increase boating opportunities at their lakes.[read more]
Middle Bass Island Docks Delivered
Construction of the boat access at Middle Bass Island State Park Marina continues, with the April arrival of the docks (above). Installation of this first series of docks should be complete June 1. Additional information can be found at Middle Bass Island SP website.
Ohioans Asked to Get On Board with Effort to Recycle Boat Shrink Wrap
Recreational boaters and marina operators can save space at local landfills and help support Ohio roadway projects simply by recycling their plastic shrink wrap when removing their boats from winter storage. [shrink wrap recycling locations]
More Boat-Camp and Swim Areas Defined at Ohio State Parks
 Boaters wanted more boat-camping and swimming opportunities on state park lakes, and Ohio State Parks and Division of Watercraft put their heads together to make it happen. [read more]
Federal Boating Dollars at Work
About one-fifth of the funding for the Division of Watercraft comes from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) account, which is administered by the US Coast Guard. Ohio and other states apply for RBS dollars annually; part of the application process includes reporting on where the dollars were spent last year. [read more]
Education Grant Recipient Profile: Ohio River Way
Ohio River Way is a nonprofit group promoting recreational boating on the Ohio River. Their annual "Paddlefest" has grown to become one of the largest paddling events in the nation. [read more]
Waterway Watch Program
Ohio boaters again are asked this boating season to participate in a public outreach program known as America’s Waterway Watch. Developed by the U.S. Coast Guard, the program encourages boaters to report any suspicious activities and behaviors they may observe while on or near the water, particularly in vital areas such as Lake Erie, the Ohio River and around dams on Ohio’s flood control reservoirs. There are no groups to join, meetings to attend or sign-up registrations – just a simple request to report to local law enforcement agencies any observed activities on the water that may pose a threat to public safety. [www.americaswaterwaywatch.org]
New National Alcohol Awareness Campaign Coming to Ohio in June
"Operation Dry Water" is a nationally coordinated effort aimed at getting alcohol-impaired boaters off the water and reducing the number of alcohol-related boating accidents. The Division of Watercraft and its boating partners will participate in this campaign June 26-28, 2009. Look for more information in our July Issue.
Boat Facility Repairs Approved for State Parks
A total of 59 repair projects will improve boating facilities in 22 Ohio State Parks (Adams Lake, Alum Creek, Burr Oak, Caesar Creek, Cleveland Lakefront, Cowan Lake, Dillon, East Fork, Geneva, Grand Lake St. Marys, Lake Logan, Indian Lake, Little Miami River, Maumee Bay, Mary Jane Thurston, Mosquito Creek Lake, Muskingum River, Portage Lakes, Salt Fork, Shawnee, West Branch and Wolf Run). Lighting, parking lot, launch ramp, dock, bank stabilization, and drainage repairs make up the vast majority of the emergency repair projects. The projects are to be mostly completed through the current boating season.
Ohioans Honored at International Boating & Water Safety Summit
A dozen Ohio groups and individuals were recognized by the National Water Safety Congress in April for their commitment to boating safety. [read more]
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