Ohio awards money to support boating safety education programs across state in 2014

12/8/2013

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has awarded more than $300,000 to support 22 community boating safety education programs across the state next year

Individual grants ranging from $2,562 to $30,000 are funded by Ohio’s recreational boaters through the state’s Waterways Safety Fund. That fund is comprised of a share of the state motor fuel tax, watercraft registration and titling fees and U.S. Coast Guard funding.

The department’s Division of Watercraft oversees boating safety education.

Ohio law requires people born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, to be able to show proof they have successfully completed an approved boating safety education course in order to operate powered watercraft greater than 10 horsepower.

Many recipient programs also focus on boating skills development and basic water safety.