News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 1999

ODNR RECOGNIZES ORGANIZATIONS FOR BOATING EDUCATION EFFORTS

Flotilla 9-4 has been active in promoting boating safety in the Lorain area, offering eight public boating safety courses this year, conducting more than 100 equipment checks for boaters. Flotilla 9-4 also made numerous public appearances in the area with the Splash Test Dummies, the Division of Watercraft’s boating education mascots. Flotilla member Jack R. Justice of Lorain also received individual recognition for his involvement with the boating safety program. Justice has developed education programs targeting youth boaters and personal watercraft operators since he joined the group in 1990. He also writes a regular boating safety column and serves as an instructor for most of the organization’s public boating courses.

The Lawrence County Boater Education program, which is administered by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, offered 10 Ohio Boating Education Course classes in southern Ohio and actively promoted safe boating through the use of the Splash Test Dummies, as well as various school appearances and media campaigns.

Carol Kitts, Lawrence County Marine Patrol Education Coordinator, received individual honors as well. Kitts coordinates the boating education course and public appearance schedules, works with the local media to promote safe boating and has spent countless hours of her own time at events promoting safe boating.

Also receiving individual recognition was Barry Willms of Cambridge for his assistance to the Division of Watercraft in promoting safe boating.

The Division of Watercraft regularly recognizes outstanding grant recipients for the impact they have on boating safety. "An educated boater is a safer boater," said Jeff Hoedt, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. "Education at the grassroots level is very effective and the programs we have recognized are making quite an impact in their communities."

Other programs recognized for their accomplishments include: the Lucas County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Flotilla 35 in Marietta, Washington Township Recreation Center (Montgomery County) and the Spirit of America program in Lake County.

Boating Safety Education Grants are available to state and local agencies, conservancy districts, educational institutions and non-profit organizations to fund local boating education programs. Funding for the grants comes from the Waterways Safety Fund, which is made up of boat registration revenues and a portion of the state gasoline tax.

For Further Information Contact:
Dennis Evans, Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882