COLUMBUS, OH – More than $366,000 from the state’s Waterways Safety Fund is being provided to support 30 community boating safety education programs next year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Watercraft.

Individual grant awards provided through the Division of Watercraft’s Boating Safety Education Grant program range from $2,239 to $23,023. The grants are funded by Ohio’s recreational boaters through the Waterways Safety Fund, which is comprised of a share of the state motor fuel tax, watercraft registration and titling fees, and funding from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Division of Watercraft is mandated by state law to provide boating safety education programs. The division accomplishes this mission by providing annual funding assistance to local communities and nonprofit organizations through a competitive grant program.

Twenty-five community organizations last year shared more than $362,000 provided by Ohio boaters and the Division of Watercraft to help fund community boating safety education programs.

Ohio law requires any person born on or after January 1, 1982 to be able to show proof they have successfully completed an approved boating safety education course if they are to operate any powered watercraft greater than 10 horsepower. Many of the programs also focus on boating skills development and basic water safety.

A listing of the 2012 Boating Safety Education grant program awards can be found online at www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft.

For more information, contact:
Mary Hughes, ODNR Division of Watercraft
614. 265. 6674
Jason Fallon, ODNR Office of Communications
614. 265. 6842

 2012   Grant Awards by County