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Articles
 Recreational Sailing
Recreational sailing is fun and relaxing and provides for many memorable moments on the water. Just ask sailors on Lake Erie how wonderful the sunsets are -- and for early-birds, those gorgeous sunrises -- to get an idea about unique and memorable moments on the water. » read more
Paddling Ohio
In November 2011, Ohio paddler and Kent State University faculty member David Herpy signed with Globe Pequot Press to write a FalconGuide on paddling in Ohio, tentatively scheduled for publication in the fall of 2013. » read more
New Water Trails in Ohio
Last winter, Trumbull County Metro Parks and Knox County Park District were successful in achieving state designation of two rivers as water trails by the Division of Watercraft. The Mahoning River and the Mohican River have now become the 8th and 9th designated water trails in the state. » read more
 Your Facebook Choices
In the spring edition of the Buckeye Boater, we asked you to post your favorite boating spots and your favorite boating activity on Facebook. » read more
Ohio State Fair
Among the many things to see and do at this year’s Ohio State Fair (July 25 – August 5) is the Division of Watercraft’s Kayak Pond located in the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio Expo Center. All of the activities at the park, including the kayak pond, are free of charge. » read more
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News
New! Extended Hours
Through mid-July, Division of Watercraft field offices will be open later to serve you better. Click here for the extended hours at an office near you.
Marine Patrol Grants
Twenty-four Ohio communities received a total of $555,746 in funding assistance from the Division of Watercraft to support local marine patrol units. These funds represent a continued effort in keeping Ohio waterways safe and enhance recreational boating experiences for an estimated three million boaters this year. News Release
Officer Cadets
The Division of Watercraft will graduate its 2012 class of 24 new watercraft officer cadets on June 8 during a special ceremony to be held at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in Columbus. Graduation marks the successful completion of their 18-week training as Ohio peace officers that began in February. The 20 men and 4 women will move on to their area office assignments statewide as they embark on a new chapter in their careers as Ohio watercraft officers. Guest speaker for the June 8 graduation ceremony will be National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Director of Law Enforcement, John Fetterman.
Ohio Tourism at Record High
Ohio’s tourism industry had a record year in 2011 with sales above $40 billion. Overnight stays were up as well. The total number of trips to Ohio also reached a new high last year. Boat registrations also were a record high last year at 426,674. Ohio offers a diversity of excellent boating destinations. Our public boat launch facilities are free of charge in addition to use of Ohio state parks and Ohio waterways. Ohio is within a day's drive for 60% of the U.S. population and also home to 14 designated scenic rivers and 9 water trails. As Ohio's tourism industry grows, so too does the popularity of recreational boating, which generates an economic impact for Ohio's economy estimated at $3.5 billion yearly. About one-third of Ohio's boating activity occurs on Lake Erie -- Ohio's top tourist destination. News Release
Caesar Creek Marina
 The Division of Watercraft and ODNR continue to make progress toward design and development of a new recreational boating marina at Caesar Creek Lake. An important part of the project is communication, and ODNR has been working this year to share communications with various stakeholders concerning marina development planning. Project cost estimates are still being developed. The Division of Watercraft is continuing to help create a plan that will bring private sector marina owners, operators and developers into the project. Project reports remain in progress and must be completed prior to the construction documentation and permitting phase. See More
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Event Highlight
Impaired Boaters Targeted in Nationwide Sweep June 22-24
 The Division of Watercraft is among many state and local marine patrol agencies participating in a nationwide crackdown on alcohol-impaired boating known as Operation Dry Water on June 22-24. This is the fourth year of the special marine enforcement effort initiated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
Alcohol is involved in about one of every three boating-related accidents on Ohio waterways. While state watercraft officers and local marine patrols are always on the lookout for impaired boat operators, Operation Dry Water (www.operationdrywater.org) is an organized national effort that focuses greater awareness of the need for boaters to boat smart, boat sober and make a commitment to staying safe on the water.
In 2011, Division of Watercraft officers contacted 1,907 boaters and made eight arrests for boating while intoxicated during the weekend long effort. A total of 112 other alcohol and boating-related violations were issued in addition to 503 boating safety warnings. No boating-related fatalities were recorded in Ohio during Operation Dry Water weekend in June 2011. Nationally, marine patrol officers made contacts with 36,277 recreational boaters and issued a total of 2,522 citations. There were 283 arrests made for boating while intoxicated and 5,320 safety warnings that were issued.
It's not just drunk boaters who are the focus of the crackdown. Drug-impaired boating and drug-related arrests are more prevalent today on the nation's waterways, which increases the risk to boating safety for all boaters. Operation Dry Water seeks to also remove boat operators who may be under the influence of drugs.
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Division Spotlight
Law Enforcement and Search & Rescue Section
The Division of Watercraft Law Enforcement and Search & Rescue (LESAR) Section is composed of a law enforcement administrator, a training coordinator, two LESAR coordinators, and an administrative assistant. This section takes the lead in all boating law enforcement activities and training for watercraft officers in the state, including annual in-service, yearly firearms, swift water rescue, physical fitness, and swim testing.
LESAR coordinates the marine patrol grant and marine patrol equipment loan program with law enforcement agencies across Ohio. Marine patrols that receive a grant can send their new marine patrol officers to attend a week-long Basic Marine Patrol Training Course.
The section orders the vehicles, boats, uniforms and equipment for all watercraft officers in the state. LESAR is also large responsibility for the hiring and training of new watercraft officers. Recently they coordinated the process of hiring 24 new full-time officer cadets to our ranks. Completing hiring and training can take up to two years.
LESAR staff work closely with partners such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadrons, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, National Safe Boating Council as well as law enforcement agencies throughout the state and other divisions within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
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Events
Some Safety Checks Still Scheduled in June
A limited number of vessel safety inspection events are scheduled in June. The free vessel safety checks help increase safety awareness as many Ohioans launch their boats for the first time this year.
Power Boating Skills Courses Offered
A newly developed power boating course class is offered this summer by the Division of Watercraft. "Power Boating Basics" provides novice and inexperienced boaters with basic skills needed to properly and safely operate a power boat. The 8-hour, hands-on course is open to the public and is offered statewide. Find one near you in the Boating Course Search.
Free Education Grant Application Workshop
If your non-profit or government agency is thinking of applying for a 2013 Boating Safety Education Grant, you'll want to attend this workshop at the Columbus Headquarters on Wednesday, August 29. For more information or to pre-register, contact Mary Hughes, 614-265-6674, or Teri Crace, 614-265-6534.
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Staff Changes
 Retired
Cambridge area supervisor Cathy Janosko retired May 31, 2012. Janosko attended Kent State University graduating in 1982 and beginning her career with ODNR as a seasonal park ranger at West Branch State Park the same year. She was hired as a watercraft officer in June 1986 working in the Akron field office. Janosko was promoted to watercraft specialist in 1989 moving to the Cambridge field office. In 2009, she was promoted to Cambridge area supervisor.
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Contact Us
The Buckeye Boater is a quarterly electronic publication from the Ohio DNR Division of Watercraft.
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ODNR Division of Watercraft
2045 Morse Road, Building A
Columbus, Ohio 43229
1-877-4BOATER (Ohio only)
614-265-6480
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