About the Division of Watercraft

The Division of Watercraft is responsible for boating safety, education, and law enforcement on all waters of the state. This statewide area includes the near-shore area along 451 miles of the Ohio River, approximately half the entire surface area of Lake Erie, more than 605 inland lakes, and over 60,000 miles of inland streams, rivers, and other waterways.

The Division administers and enforces all laws regarding identification, numbering, titling, use, and operation of recreational boats on Ohio’s waters. It conducts water safety education programs and develops boating facilities on major water areas of the state. A total of 166 permanent employees provide service in the form of law enforcement patrols, homeland security, emergency first response, registration and titling services, educational programs and grants, professional training, boating access facility grants, vessel inspections, aids to navigation, and technical assistance.

During an average week in 2008, the Division of Watercraft:

• Conducted 445 visual and written watercraft safety inspections
• Contacted 1,529 recreational boaters
• Assisted more than 26 boaters
• Processed 2,943 watercraft registrations
• Made 2 arrests for drunken boating
• Conducted 3 boating accident investigations
• Processed 231 boating education certificates
• Saved an average worth of $2,488 in personal property