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April 18, 2006
VOLUNTEERS SALUTED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOATING SAFETY
DURING NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK, APRIL 23-29
2,477 hours volunteered on Ohio waterways in 2005
COLUMBUS, OH -- The contributions of volunteers who work to make Ohio’s waterways safer for recreational boating are being saluted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft during National Volunteer Week, April 23-29.
“These dedicated Ohioans are improving waterway safety in a variety of ways,” said Mike Quinn, acting chief of the Division of Watercraft. “These good works deserve our praise.”
According to the division, 147 Ohio watercraft volunteers donated 2,477 hours in 2005. They assisted in river rescue and provided waterway law enforcement support. They also taught sailing and canoeing courses and general boating safety programs, and coordinated special events throughout the state.
Watercraft volunteer opportunities during the upcoming boating season will include the Caesar Creek Lake Festival at Caesar Creek Lake State Park on May 27; Paddle Safe, Paddle Fun at East Wood Lake in Dayton on June 2-3; the North Coast Harbor Boating and Fishing Festival June 9-11 in downtown Cleveland, North Central Ohio Boating and Fishing Festival at Pleasant Hill Lake Festival on June 17; Alum Creek State Park Boating and Fishing Festival on June 24; Ohio River Paddlefest in Cincinnati on July 7-8; Muskingum Riverfest in Malta on July 8; and the Ohio State Fair in Columbus August 2-13.
The ODNR, Division of Watercraft oversees boat registration and titling operations; enforces boating laws on Ohio’s waterways; educates the public; and provides funding to local communities for education, enforcement and boating facilities. Recreational boating in Ohio is at near-record levels with 412,445 watercraft currently registered in the state.
For additional opportunities and more information on becoming an ODNR Division of Watercraft volunteer, contact any Division of Watercraft district office and visit ohiodnr.com
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